Sita Devi, or Sita Thakurani, and her sister Sri were both married to Srila Advaita Acarya, a close associate of Lord Caitanya. The sisters were expansions of Yoga Maya, the internal potency of the Lord. Sita Thakurani's three sons Acyutananda, Krsna Misra, and Gopala Misra became great devotees of the Lord.

When the Supreme Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared as the son of Jagannatha Misra and Sacimata, Sita Thakurani became absorbed in parental affection for Him. To protect Him from witches and sorcerers, she gave Him the name Nimai, after the neem tree. It is said that evil spirits cannot go near neem trees; therefore Sita Thakurani thought that no harm could come to a boy named Nimai.

Sita Thakurani and Advaita Acarya moved from Shantipur to Mayapur to be near Jagannatha Misra's house. Sita Thakurani would go every day to see Nimai, and she would give friendly advice to Jagannatha Misra and Sacimata on how they should raise Him.

Years later, even after Lord Caitanya accepted the renounced order of life, Sita Thakurani continued to treat Him as her son. She loved to cook for Him, and when she invited Him to lunch He could not refuse. The love Sita Thakurani showed Lord Caitanya was so intense that He looked upon her as His own mother.