Jasleen Kaur

Research Associate

Jasleen Kaur is a Research Associate at the Sikh Research Institute. She has received a Religious Studies B.A./M.A. from the University of Virginia, focusing on South Asian Religions through the lens of literature and poetry.

She is one of the commentators and transcreators of The Guru Granth Sahib Project. She is passionate about projects that create comfortable spaces for community members of all ages and backgrounds to engage in dialogue and learn from one another. She also loves singing in her free time, whether on stage with her friends or alone in her kitchen.

She hopes to go back to school to pursue a Ph.D. in either religious ethnography or history and fulfill her dream of teaching and learning from others.

Jasleen Kaur resides with her family in the United States.

Videos

Thursday
,
22
May
2025

The Question That Went Viral

In April, Indian National Congress (INC) party member Rahul Gandhi stopped at Brown University for a speaking engagement. During the Q&A, Sidak Alumni Gurpartap Singh asked him what the INC is doing to reconcile with the Sikhs, and their interaction...

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Thursday
,
22
May
2025

Explore Var Sat (Mahala 3) 2/2

In this composition, Guru Amardas Sahib emphasizes that IkOankar (the Divine) is the Creator of the entire creation. It illustrates how beings attached to transient things and relationships remain trapped in the cycle of birth and death.

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Thursday
,
17
April
2025

Explore Var Sat (Mahala 3) 1/2

Var Sat, commonly known as ‘Satvar’ or ‘Satvara,’ is an old and popular poetic form based on the seven days of the week. In it, each stanza begins with a particular day of the week and describes an idea, sentiment, or belief associated with that day.

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Thursday
,
10
April
2025

Countdown to Vaisakhi 2025: Jasleen Kaur

Jasleen Kaur serves as a Research Associate at SikhRI and one of the commentators and transcreators of The Guru Granth Sahib Project.

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Thursday
,
20
February
2025

Explore Thiti (Mahala 1)

Thiti refers to a lunar calendar day—a count from the first to the fifteenth day based on the moon's phases. As a poetic form, Thiti is based on the fifteen lunar days of the Indic calendar months.

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Thursday
,
19
December
2024

Explore Var Sat (Kabir Ji)

The poetic form ‘Var Sat’ (a composition based on the seven days of the week) is commonly called ‘Satvar’ or ‘Satvara.’ It is a unique literary style that connects each day of the week with a specific idea, emotion, teaching, or reflection.

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Podcasts

Wednesday
,
14
May
2025

Explore So Purakhu

So Purakhu is a collection of four Sabads, the source of Infinite-Wisdom, out of which Guru Ramdas Sahib has revealed two Sabads, and one each by Guru Nanak Sahib and Guru Arjan Sahib.

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Friday
,
9
May
2025

The Sidak Impact: Jasleen Kaur & Phera Singh

In this podcast, SikhRI Research Associate Jasleen Kaur explores the impact of the Sidak leadership program with alum, Phera Singh.

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Thursday
,
24
April
2025

Explore Var Sat (Mahala 3) 1/2

‘Var Sat’ (seven days) is commonly known as ‘Satvar’ or ‘Satvara.’ Satvara is a classical and popular poetic form based on the seven days of the week.

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
18
April
2025

The Sidak Impact: Jasleen Kaur & Radhika Kaur

In this podcast, SikhRI Research Associate Jasleen Kaur explores the impact of the Sidak leadership program with alum, Radhika Kaur.

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Friday
,
28
March
2025

The Sidak Impact: Jasleen Kaur & Gurpartap Singh

SikhRI Research Associate, Jasleen Kaur discusses the value of Sidak with alumni, Gurpartap Singh.

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Friday
,
21
March
2025

On Performing Piety

In this podcast, Jasleen Kaur reflects on Guru Nanak Sahib’s sabad, exploring the question of what is genuine within us, and what elements of ego we must navigate.

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Articles

Monday
,
11
October
2021

Exploring Death in Salok Mahala 9

Death is a thing we all must do. But we are deeply afraid of it. How do we form a relationship with death? This article explores Salok Mahala 9 as Guru Teghbahadar Sahib helps us confront our fear of death and understand the lessons death...

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Wednesday
,
21
July
2021

Miri-Piri: The Spiritual-Political Sikh Doctrine

Miri comes from Perso-Arabic “Amir” or “Emir” and signals political power. Piri comes from the Perso-Arabic “Pir” and signals spiritual power. Miri-Piri encapsulates the Political-Spiritual doctrine in Sikhi, rooted in both the worldly and the timeless...

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Friday
,
14
May
2021

Reflecting on Time, One Becomes the Willing-Servant

A reflection on the play of past, present, and future, the play of creation, and the importance of Remembrance.

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Thursday
,
1
October
2020

Circles of Influence, Circles of Abuse

Healing and accountability in the wake of allegations old and new

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Wednesday
,
9
September
2020

Sikhi & Sexuality

Sexuality is a confusing and often avoided topic. It is generally relegated to being a "private" matter, and therefore not openly discussed or engaged with, even within close circles and small communities.

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Thursday
,
7
November
2019

Sikhi & Abortion

Abortion as defined by the the Oxford dictionary is a “deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.” Abortions have long been performed and long been the subject of considerable debate.

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sat
,
Jul 12

Vanjara: From Worldly Trader to Spiritual Seeker

Khalsa School, Glen Rock Gurudwara

This presentation explores Guru Ramdas Sahib’s Vanjara, situating it within its cultural framework and lived experience. We will reflect on the composition's foundational themes and their relevance to our daily...

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