ATRI

Maharishi Atri is one of the Manasputra of Brahma and first of the Saptrshis created by Bramha.

Atri was created from the eyes of Bramha. He married Anasuya, the daughter of Kardam and Devahuti. He was father of Soma, Dattatreya and Durvasa, who were the incarnations Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.

Ram visiting Atri's hermitage. As Atri talks to Ram and his brother Lakshman, Anusuya talks with his wife Sita

Affiliation : Brahmarshi

Personal information

Parents

Father : Brahma

Spouse : Anasuya

Children : Durvasa, Chandra and Dattatreya

Atri or Attri is a Vedic sage, who is credited with composing numerous hymns to Agni, Indra and other Vedic deities of Hinduism. Atri is one of the Saptarishi (seven great Vedic sages) in the Hindu tradition, and the one most mentioned in its scripture Rigved.

The fifth Mandal (Book 5) of Rigved is called the Atri Mandal in his honour, and the eighty seven hymns in it are attributed to him and his descendants.

Atri is also mentioned in the Purans and the Hindu Epics such as the Ramayan and the Mahabharat.

Life :

Mahavishnu and the Brahma Rudras appear in front of Saint Atri

Atri is one of the seven great Rishi or Saptarshi along with Marichi, Angiras, Pulah, Kratu, Pulastya and Vashisth. According to the legends of the Vedic era, sage Atri was married to Anasuya Devi. They had three sons, Dattatreya, Durvasas and Chandra. As per divine account, he is the last among the seven saptharishis and is believed to have originated from the tongue. The wife of Atri was Anasuya, who is considered one of the seven female pativratas. When instructed by divine voice to do penance, Atri readily agreed and did severe penance. Pleased by his devotion and prayers, the Hindu trinity, namely, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiv appeared before him and offered him boons. He sought all the three to be born to him. Another version of the legend states that Anasuya, by the powers of her chastity, rescued the three gods and in return, they were born as children to her. Brahma was born to her as Chandra, Vishnu as Dattatreya and Shiv in some part as Durvasa. The mention about Atri is found in various scriptures, with the notable being in Rig Ved. He is also associated with various ages, the notable being in Treta Yug during Ramayan, when he and Anasuya advised Ram and his wife Sita. The pair is also attributed to bringing river Ganga down to earth, the mention of which is found in Shiv Puran.

Seer of Rig Ved :

He is the seer of the fifth Mandal (Book 5) of the Rigved. Atri had many sons and disciples who have also contributed in the compilation of the Rig Ved and other Vedic texts. Mandal 5 comprises 87 hymns, mainly to Agni and Indra, but also to the Visvedevas ("all the gods'), the Maruts, the twin-deity Mitra-Varun and the Ashvins. Two hymns each are dedicated to Ushas (the dawn) and to Savitr. Most hymns in this book are attributed to the Atri clan composers, called the Atreyas. These hymns of Rigved was composed in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent, most likely between c. 3500–3000 BCE.

The Atri hymns of the Rigved are significant for their melodic structure as well as for featuring spiritual ideas in the form of riddles. These hymns include lexical, syntactic, morphological and verb play utilizing the flexibility of the Sanskrit language. The hymn 5.44 of the Rigved in Atri Mandal is considered by scholars such as Geldner to be the most difficult riddle hymn in all of the Rigved. The verses are also known for their elegant presentation of natural phenomenon through metaphors, such as poetically presenting dawn as a cheerful woman in hymn 5.80.

While the fifth mandal is attributed to Atri and his associates, sage Atri is mentioned or credited with numerous other verses of the Rigved in other Mandals, such as 10.137.4.

Ramayan :

In the Ramayan, Ram, Sita and Lakshman visit Atri and Anasuya in their hermitage. Atri's hut is described to be in Chitrakut, near a lake with divine music and songs, the water loaded with flowers, green water leaves, with many "cranes, fisherbirds, floating tortoises, swans, frogs and pink geese".

Purans :

A number of sages named Atri are mentioned in the various medieval era Purans. The mythical legends therein about Atri are diverse and inconsistent. It is unclear if these refer to the same person, or to different Rishis who had the same name.

Cultural influence :

Left to right : Atri, Bhrigu, Vikhanas, Marichi and Kashyap

The Vaikhanas sub-tradition within Vaishnavism found in South India near Tirupati, credit their theology to four Rishis (sages), namely Atri, Marici, Bhrigu and Kashyap. One of the ancient texts of this tradition is Atri Samhita, which survives in highly inconsistent fragments of manuscripts. The text are rules of conduct aimed at Brahmins of the Vaikhanas tradition. The surviving parts of the Atri Samhita suggest that the text discussed, among other things, Yog and ethics of living, with precepts such as :

Self restraint :

• If material or spiritual pain is created by others, and one is not offended and does not wreak revenge, it is called Daam.

Charity :

• Even with limited income, something should be given away daily with care and liberal spirit. This is called Daan.

Compassion :

• One should behave like his own self, towards others, his own relations and friends, him who envies him, and even his enemy. This is called Daya.

— Atri Samhita, Translated by MN Dutt

The Vaikhanas continue to be a significant community in South India, and they adhere to their Vedic heritage.

Source :

https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Atri