The story of saiva saints/44. ATHIPATHTHA NAYANAR
44. ATHIPATHTHA NAYANAR
There lived in Nagappattinam a fisherman called Athipaththar. His occupation was fishing and the best of his first harvest (catch), he used to set free in the sea as oblation to the Lord. Lo! It was the will of the Lord that he got only one fish every day and the first fish was let away in the sea according to his cherished notion. Hence he lost his main income and he became very poor. One day he caught a golden fish decked with gams; but even this fish he let off in the sea. By this selfless act, he, blessed by god, reached the Feet of the Lord.