Nava Tirupathi, Vijayasana Perumal Temple (Natham): Where The Lord Gave Mukti To A Fisherman!

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Vijayasana Perumal temple is the second of the Nava Tirupathi temples (the nine temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu) in Natham (Thiruvaragunamangai), in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu.

It is located on the banks of River Thamiraparani, on Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route. It is one of the Navagraha (nine planets) temples in Vaishnavism, associated with Chandran or the planet Moon. There is no separate shrine for the planet and Lord Vijayasana represents the planet Moon in this temple.

Nava Tirupathi: Vijayasana Perumal temple legends

There are many legends associated with the Vijayasana Perumal temple, Natham, which is one of the Nava Tirupathi temples.

Mukti (liberation) for a fisherman

As per a legend Sage Romasar's disciple Sathyavan while having a bath in the Akanasa theertha in this temple, happened to see a fisherman catching fish and drying them on the opposite bank. Sathyavan thought that the fisherman who was responsible for killing so many fishes would definitely go to hell.

Just then a snake bit the fisherman and he died on the spot. Soon to his surprise, Sathyavan saw the fisherman ascending to heaven in a vimana. The confused Sathyavan reported this to his master, Sage Romasar, who with his special powers understood the turn of events and narrated to Sathyavan that the fisherman was the king of Vidharpa in his previous birth, who though was righteous and performed a lot of good deeds, fell into bad company and engaged himself in wrong doings.

As a result he took birth as a fisherman, but owing to the merits that he had accrued due to the good deeds as well, he was born in Natham, then called Thiruvaragunamangai, which was enough reason to bestow mukti (liberation) on him. Sage Romasar concluded that anyone who dies in this place is assured of Mukti or liberation.

Mukti (Liberation) for a pious Brahmin

As per another legend, Vedavit, a pious Brahmin wanted to engage in penance after having completed his duties towards his parents and his guru. Lord Vishnu in the form of an old man directed him to Thiruvaragunamangai (Natham) to carry out his mission.

Vedavit as per the instructions of the Lord performed severe penance in this place and was blessed by the vision of the Lord, who asked him what he wanted. Vedavit answered that he did not want anything other than the feet of the Lord. The Lord, pleased by his devotion, granted him mukti (liberation) in this place. Hence anyone who worships the Lord here duly would be blessed with liberation.

Relief from curse for Agni

Once during a war between the Devas (gods) and the Asuras (demons), Agni (God of fire) took an active part in vanquishing many asuras. But some of them hid themselves in the ocean and pursued their attacks on the devas. So Indra, the king of devas, commissioned Agni to dry the ocean and kill the asuras.

Though Agni politely refused to do so as other beings in the ocean would also consequently die, Indra cursed him to be born as a human. As per the curse, Agni was born in Thiruvaragunamangai (Natham) and devoted himself to the worship of the Lord here. Lord Vishnu, pleased by the devotion of Agni, appeared before him and relieved him of the curse.

It is to be noted that this is also the place where Lord Vishnu subdued the pride of Brahma and blessed Sage Romasar with long life.

Nava Tirupathi: Vijayasana Perumal temple significance

The presiding deity in the Vijayasana Perumal temple, Natham is Vijayasanar. In the sanctum sanctorum the Lord is seen seated with his consorts Varaguna Mangai Thayar (Sridevi) and Varaguna Valli Thayar (Bhudevi) on either side. Since the Goddesses are present with the Lord in the sanctum, there are no separate shrines for them.

Vijayasana Perumal temple, one among the Nava Tirupathi temples is also one of the 108 Divyadesamas or temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is extolled in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the Tamil canon by the Alwars saints (poet saints) from the 6th to 9th centuries CE. There is also a chapter known as 'Nava Tirupathi Mahatmeeyam' in the Brahmandapurana by saint Veda Vyasa. 'Vaikunta Mahatmeeyam', a part of the ' Thamiraparani Sthalapurana' in Sanskrit also extols this temple.

During Garuda Sevai Utsavam, an annual festival in May - June, the nine idols of Nava Tirupathi are brought out. It is a glorious sight to watch amidst thousands of people, who attend this festival.

The Vijayasana Perumal temple, Natham is open from 8 AM to 12 PM and 1 to 6 PM. Monday is the auspicious day to visit this temple.

Let us thus seek the blessings of the Lord in order to gain liberation.