The famous ancient port on the eastern coast of the Indian subcontinent, where various ships, designed thoughtfully by the engineers of the day queued up for trade, is Nagapattinam. The tides eager to take rest on the white sandy beaches, receded quickly with a roar unceasing like the resounding chants by the devotees of God.

In the fishing suburb of the town lived the devotee Atibhaktar who offered the fresh flower of his devotion to the moon adorned Great God with matted hair. Nayanar was the leader of a big group of fishermen operating many boats in various catchment areas and was the owner of heaps of maritime wealth. As a service to the Lord, he always let the first fish that entered his net back into the seas as an offering to his beloved Lord Shiva. He practised this under all circumstances - whether the catch was only one fish or a big number. The Lord took great delight in the love of His devotee. Then came a time when the catch was so meagre that the maritime wealth of his kith and kin shrunk and they were starving. Yet, Atibhaktar made his offering of leaving the first fish for the Lord.

One day there came a fish glittering like gold with embedded precious gems into the fishermen’s net, making their faces bright with jubilance. It looked as if the glittering fish could demand the whole world as its price. It could turn Atibhaktar’s life into an exceedingly luxurious one. The fishermen went and informed him of their first catch of the day . Even though such great wealth in the form of a fish was waiting, Nayanar never went back on his service towards Lord Kailashapati. Atibhaktar said with great devotion that the fish being the first one that day, though admirable and priceless, was meant for the Dancing Lord. He let the fish back into the sea and with it severing all the worldly bonds with this simple act of love. The Lord, with the deer in hand, appeared with His consort on the horizon to bless the Nayanar who had stood by his service in both good and bad times. Lord Nilakantha blessed him with a place in Shivalokam alongside His great devotees. Let the deed of love, untouched by material comforts, of Atibhakta Nayanar stay in the mind.

Guru Pooja: Avani / Ayilyam or Simha / Ashlesha

Har Har Mahadev

• Birth place of adhipaththa nAyanAr
• The Puranam of Athipattha Nayanar in English Poerty
• அதிபத்த நாயனார் புராணம் - செய்யுள்
• அதிபத்த நாயனார் வரலாறு
• अतिभक्त नायनार दिव्य चरित्र 
   

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