Shimshumara Jayanthi

Shimshumara Jayanthi is a celebration of the scorpion-like avatar of Lord Vishnu, also known as Shimshumara. 

Magh Shukla Dwadashi celebrates the appearance of the rarely discussed incarnation of the Supreme Lord, Shree Sisumara. This avatar, brought to prominence by Srimad Madhwacharya, is a significant deity in Madhwa worship. Madhwacharya’s detailed explanations and writings on Sisumara highlight its importance, which is also briefly covered in the Srimad Bhagavatam and Vishnu Purana. This form of the Supreme Lord is vital for supporting all celestial bodies, including stars and planets.

Sisumara is often depicted as a constellation resembling a scorpion or crocodile, representing a starry manifestation of Vishnu. At its tail-end is Dhruva, which rotates and influences the movements of the Sun and Moon. The stars follow Dhruva’s rotation, and the Sun and Moon, along with other celestial bodies, are connected to Dhruva by the atmosphere.

Mahāviṣṇu is the fundamental support for Sisumara, providing its light and brilliance. Dhruva, who worshipped Vishnu, was positioned at the end of Sisumara. Sisumara relies on Vishnu, Dhruva relies on Sisumara, and the Sun relies on Dhruva, as described in the Vishnu Purāṇa, Part 2, Chapter 9. Sisumara represents the cosmic system and serves as the yogic form of Shree Hari. Various deities and elements, such as Indra, Agni, and the Ganges, are depicted on different parts of its body.

In his work Tārāmaya, Madhwacharya describes Sisumara with specific attributes: Uttānapāda symbolizes the upper jaw, Yajña the lower lip, Dharma the head, and Nārāyaṇa the heart. Other deities and elements represent the front and hind feet, tail, and various planetary bodies, with all planets centered around Dhruva.