Sisumara

The term Sisumara originates from Sanskrit. It is often associated with the word "sisu" meaning child or young, and "mara" which can relate to death or movement, suggesting a cyclical or youthful movement. Scholarly interpretations link it to the celestial sphere's rotation.

An imaginary rotating belt, upon wliieh all the celestial bodies move. This host of stars and constellations is represented under the figure of Sisumara, a tortoise (some say a porpoise!), dragon, crocodile, and what not. But as it is a symbol of the Yogameditation of holy Vasudeva or Krishna, it must be a crocodile, or rather, a dolphin, since it is identical with the zodiacal Makara. 280 THEOSOPlIlrAI. Dhruva, tluancient pole-star, is i)lac»'(l at the tip of the tail of this sidereal monster, whose head points southward and wiiose body bends in a rinpr. nio:her along: the tail are the Prajapati, Agni, etc, and at its root are placed Indra, Dharma, and the seven Rishis (the Great Bear), etc., etc. The meaning is of course mystical.

Blavatsky's description of Sisumara as an "imaginary rotating belt" captures its essence as a conceptual framework for understanding the heavens, a cosmic diagram rendered in the language of myth. This sidereal monster, whether tortoise, dolphin, or crocodile, is not merely an astronomical chart but a profound symbolic representation of the divine order that governs the universe. Mircea Eliade, in his studies of archaic cosmologies, often highlighted how ancient cultures projected their understanding of cosmic structure onto the night sky, imbuing celestial patterns with spiritual significance. The Sisumara, with Dhruva (the pole star) at its tail and its body curving around the celestial pole, embodies this principle. It’s a cosmic mandala, a visual aid for meditation, particularly in its association with Vasudeva or Krishna. The inclusion of deities and sages along its form further integrates the celestial realm with the divine pantheon and the lineage of wisdom.

The transformation of astronomical observation into a narrative of mythical beings reflects a holistic worldview where the physical and the spiritual are inextricably linked. This is a common thread in esoteric traditions; for instance, the Hermetic axiom "As above, so below" speaks to this interconnectedness. The Sisumara, therefore, is not just about where the stars are, but about the underlying principles they represent: order, cycles, and the presence of the divine in the very fabric of existence. Carl Jung's concept of archetypes resonates here, as these cosmic figures and patterns tap into a universal human intuition about the cosmos. The practice associated with Sisumara likely involved contemplation of these celestial movements, fostering a sense of awe and connection to the larger cosmic rhythm, a practice akin to the meditative visualizations found in Sufism or the contemplative prayer of Christian mystics. It invites us to see the universe not as a cold, indifferent expanse, but as a living, breathing entity imbued with meaning and purpose.

The Sisumara encourages a shift in perspective, moving from a purely empirical understanding of the stars to one that is deeply symbolic and devotional. It reminds us that the cosmos is not merely a collection of distant lights, but a profound expression of consciousness, a cosmic dance that invites our participation through contemplation and reverence.

RELATED_TERMS: Dhruva, Makara, Zodiac, Pole Star, Cosmology, Mandala, Vishnu, Krishna