Srimati Sita Thakurani's Appearance - 23rd Aug'2001

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Srimati Sita Thakurani's Appearance - 23rd Aug'2001

 

SRIMATI SITA THAKURANI

 

Like Sri Saci devi, Sri Sita Thakurani was always absorbed in affectionate

love for Sri Gaurasundara and was the well-wisher and competent advisor of

Sri Saci and Sri Jagannatha Misra. (GGD. 86, Premavilasa 24)

 

Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami has beautifully described Sri Sita Thakurani on

the occasion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's birth: As soon as the boy was

born, generous Sri Jagannatha Misra sent a man to Advaita Acarya at

Santipura to inform him. Upon hearing the good news, Sri Advaita was

overwhelmed with joy. After taking bath in the Ganges and singing and

dancing with Sri Haridasa Thakura, he sent his wife Sri Sita Thakurani to

Navadvipa Mayapura. Sitadevi, who is worshipable by the entire world,

taking permission of her husband, went to see that topmost child with all

varieties of gifts and presentations.

 

She brought different kinds of golden ornaments, including bangles, armlets,

necklaces and anklets, as well as tiger nails set in gold, waist decorations

of silk and lace, nicely printed silken saris and a child's garment, also

made of silk. Many other riches, including gold and silver coins, were also

presented to the child. Riding in a palanquin covered with cloth and

accompanied by maidservants, Sita Thakurani came to the house of Jagannatha

Misra, bringing with her many auspicious articles such as fresh grass,

paddy, gorocana, tumeric, kunkuma and sandalwood. All these presentations

filled a large basket.

 

When Sita Thakurani came to the house of Sacidevi, bringing with her many

kinds of eatables, dresses and other gifts, she was astonished to see the

newly born child, for she appreciated that except for a difference in color,

the child was directly Krsna of Gokula Himself. Seeing the transcendental

bodily effulgence of the child, each of His nicely constructed limbs full of

auspicious signs and resembling a form of gold, Sita Thakurani was very much

pleased, and because of her maternal affection, she felt as if her heart

were melting. She blessed the newly born child by placing fresh grass and

paddy on His head saying, "May You be blessed with a long duration of life."

But being afraid of ghosts and witches, she gave the child the name Nimai.

 

On the day the mother and son took bath and left the maternity home, Sita

Thakurani gave them all kinds of ornaments and garments and offered respect

to Jagannatha Misra. Sacidevi and Jagannatha Misra reciprocated by honoring

Sita Thakurani, who then returned home feeling deep satisfaction within her

mind.

 

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the child, Sri Jagannatha Misra

and Saci devi presented the revered Sri Sita Thakurani with valuable clothes

and other gifts. Sri Advaita Acarya had a house in Mayapura as well as

Santipura.After the birth of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, on the request of

Jagannatha Misra and Saci devi, Sri Advaita Acarya and his wife began to

spend most of their time at their Mayapura residence.

 

Sri Saci devi highly respected Sri Sita Thakurani, who visited their house

daily and advised Saci devi how to bring up Sri Gaurasundara. Together they

watched with delight as the divine child grew.

 

After some years the eldest son of Misra, Sri Visvarupa, left home and

accepted sannyasa. Saci and Jagannatha were overwhelmed with grief, as was

the child Gaurasundara. At that time Advaita Acarya and Sita devi consoled

them and looked after the child. Malini devi, wife of Srivasa Pandita, also

helped to bring up the child with great affection during that time. Malini

devi and Saci were very close friends.

 

Later in life, when the Lord returned from Gaya and disclosed His real

identity, Sri Advaita Acarya and Sita Thakurani came from Santipura to

Mayapura to worship the feet of Sri Gaurasundara.

 

Later, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu left home and set off for Vrndavana with

the intention of accepting sannyasa, Sri Saci devi and Sita Thakurani were

overwhelmed with grief and remained lying on the ground like as if dead for

four days. Understanding the distress of His relatives and devotees, the

kind-hearted Gaurasundara was unable to go on to Vrndavana, and thus

returned to Santipura. Again Advaita Acarya and Sita Thakurani regained

their lives. After four days of fasting, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted

the food cooked by Sri Sita Thakurani. Before taking sannyasa, Gaurasundara

used to perform kirtana along with Sri Nityananda Prabhu at the house of

Advaita Acarya. Sri Paremesvari dasa Thakura has given a beautiful

description of these pastimes in his Padakalpataru.

 

After the Lord accepted sannyasa and remained in Jagannatha Puri, every year

Advaita Acarya, Sri Sita Thakurani and their son Sri Acyutananda visited

Him. On these occasions Sri Sita Thakurani brought many of the Lord's

favorite preparations, and with great love, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took the

meals offered by her. He respected her as if she and Saci mata were the

same person.

 

Sita Thakurani had three sons, Acyutananda, Krsna Misra and Gopala Misra.

They were also ardent followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sita

Thakurani's father was Sri Nrsimha Bhadudi and her sister was Sri. The two

sisters were both manifestations of Bhagavati Yogamaya. Sri Sita Thakurani

was the manifestation of Yogamaya--goddess Paurnamasi. In Dvapara yuga, at

the time of the birth ceremony of Sri Krsna, she was present in the house of

Nanda and gave advice to Nanda and Yasoda.