Srimati Jahnava Devi Appearance Day – May 08, 2014

Sri Surja das Sarakhela had two daughters named Vasudha and Jahnava. His wife’s name was Bhadravati. He used to keep the accounts for the king of Gaur desh.

In Gaur-ganoddesha-dipika it is stated that Vasudha and Jahnava are the expansions of Varuni and Revati (Lord Balarama’s wives) in Vrindavan and Surja das Sarakhela, is an expansion of Kakudmir, the king of Raivat. The two Lords, Gauranga and Nityananda were very affectionate to him. Seeing that his two daughters had reached the full bloom of their youth, he began to contemplate their marriage. Surja das dreamt that he was presenting his two daughters to Nityananda Prabhu.

When he awoke, he told his dream to one brahmana friend of his, "I saw in my dream that Nityananda Prabhuis none other than Baladeva. On either side of him my two daughters appeared as Varuni and Revati. Now if I cannot give my daughters in marriage to Nityananda Prabhu then there will be no peace for me." Having confided in his friend in this way, he sent him to the house of Srivas Pandit in Navadwip who explained everything in detail to Srivas Pandit who later informed Nityananda Prabhu. Nityananda assured the brahmana that he would fulfill the desire of Surja das.

Sri Krishna das, who was a very dear devotee of Nityananda Prabhu, offered to bear all the expenses for thewedding. After worshipping the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, Surja das offered his two daughters in marriage to him. Nityananda Prabhu remained at Shalagram with his two newly wedded wives for a few days. Thereafter he came to Navadwip and along with his two wives offered obeisances at the feet of Sachi Mata.

Then taking leave of Sachi Mata, Nityananda came to Advaita Acharya's house in Santipur. Srimati Sita Thakurani began to float in the ocean of bliss after seeing Vasudha and Jahnava devi. Taking them in her lap she was very affectionate to the new brides. After remaining there for a few days Nityananda Prabhu came to Uddharon Datta Thakur's house at Saptagram at his insistent invitation. There they all engaged in a festival of sankirtan for a few days after which Nityananda Prabhu came to Khardaha.

- Bhakti-Ratnakar 12th Taranga

After the disappearance of Sri Advaita Acharya, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Srivas Pandit and other associates of Sri Goursundar,continued to flood the land with Hari Nam Sankirtan. Jahnava Mata was especially requested by these three Acharyas to be present at the celebrated festival which was conducted by them at Kheturigram.

Here she cooked for the two Lords, Nitai-Gauranga, and in the evening they had a festival of sankirtan. When she returned to Navadvip and realized that she wouldn't be able to see Sachi Mata any more, she was very sad.

One day when she was bathing in the Jamuna, a small black hand grabbed the end of her cloth as she was getting out of the water. When she looked, however, there was no one there. Then Gopinath spoke to her, "I want to come and stay with you. When you're taking bath in the Ganga one day I'll come and join you."

After passing some days in great happiness in Vrindavan, Sri Jahnava Mata set out on the path back to Gaurdesh. Then she came to Ekchakra, the birthplace of her worshipable Lord. From there she passed through Kantak Nagar, Jajigram, Navadwip, Ambika kalna, Saptagram, before finally arriving back at Khardaha.

As she was bathing in the Ganges one day, something touched her body in the water. Then she lifted that object out of the water and beheld the enchanting form of Sri Gopinathji, while tears of love streamed from her eyes. This Deity is at present being worshipped by the descendants of Ganga devi, the daughter of Nityananda Prabhu, at Jirat, Hugli.