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Atri (Samskrit : अत्रिः) is one of the Saptarshi rshis and one of the Brahmamanasa putras. Puranas mention another maharshi named Atri as the son of Sukracharya (MB Adi Parva 65 chap verse 27). Mention of Atri has been made in the Rigveda (Mandala 1 Suktas 51, 112, 116 etc). The fifth mandala of Rigveda was composed by Atri himself.
Atri (Samskrit : अत्रिः) is one of the Saptarshi rshis and one of the Brahmamanasa putras. Mahabharata mentions another maharshi named Atri as the son of Sukracharya (MB Adi Parva 65 chap verse 27). Atri has been a mantra drashta mentioned in the Rigveda (Mandala 1 Suktas 51, 112, 116 etc). He is also the rshi for the fifth mandala of Rigveda.
== Birth and Family ==
== Birth and Family ==
Atri's wife was Anasuya (one free from malice), who was one of the daughters of Devahuti and Sage Kardama. When Brahma instructed Atri to give an impetus to creation by fathering children, he began rigorous austerities and meditation. In the Indian tradition, every undertaking is elevated above the ordinary when preceded by religious fasts, austerities, worship, and meditations. For a prolonged period, Atri underwent with faith the most drastic penances and meditations. Pleased with his absorption, the Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara-appeared and roused him. Opening his eyes, filled with unspeakable love, wonder, and veneration, Atri genuflected before the deities. They insisted that he ask a boon of them. After mulling over the immensity of the gods' grace, he asked to have the three gods incarnate as his three sons. Smiling and saying 'Evamastu'-'So be it'- they faded.
Atri is Brahmamanasaputra. Another reference to Atri maharshi is that he is the son of Shukracharya.
== In the Vedas ==
Atri's wife was Anasuya (one free from malice), who was one of the daughters of Devahuti and Kardama Prajapati. When Brahma instructed Atri to further creation by fathering children, he began rigorous austerities and meditation. For a prolonged period, Atri underwent with faith the most drastic penances and meditations. Pleased with his tapas, the Trimurtis - Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara - appeared and roused him. With devotion Atri bowed to them. After mulling over the immensity of their grace, he asked the boon to have the three deities incarnate as his three sons.
The earliest reference to him is as a Vedic seer, found in the hymns of the Rig Veda, along with Agni, Indra, etc. The fifth mandala (section) of the Rig Veda is ascribed to him. In a mystic meditation on prana, the vital breath, the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, after describing the other six sages, depicts Atri, the seventh, thus: 'The tongue is Atri, for through the tongue food is eaten. Atri is but this name "Atti". He who knows it as such becomes the eater of all, and everything becomes his food’.
The story of Atri and Anasuya bringing forth their sons has variant versions. Atri is famous as the father of Dattatreya (amsa of Vishnu), Chandra (amsa of Brahma) and Durvasa (amsa of Shiva) according to one version.
According to another anecdote, once the wives of the Trimurtis (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Parvati being jealous of the greatness of Anasuya decide to test her devotion to her husband. Towards this end they request their husbands to test Anasuya. The three of them visit the ashrama of Atri, at the time of absence of Atri and request Anasuya to serve food to them with a condition of being divested of clothes. At that instance, Anasuya transforms the trimurtis into babies and feeds them according to their
== Atri - Vedic Reference ==
The earliest reference to Atri is as a Vedic seer, found in the mantras of the Rig Veda, along with Agni, Indra, etc. The fifth mandala (section) of the Rig Veda is ascribed to him. In a mystic meditation on prana, the vital breath, the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, after describing the other six sages, depicts Atri, the seventh, thus: 'The tongue is Atri, for through the tongue food is eaten. Atri is but this name "Atti". He who knows it as such becomes the eater of all, and everything becomes his food’.
the king with the origin of its ritual. He dissuaded Sage Parashara and other sages from performing a sacrifice to annihilate the whole race of demons. He accompanied many other sages who went to Drona to counsel him to stop hostilities between the warring Kauravas and Pandavas. He was also the chief priest at a sacrifice called rajasuya yajna, which was initiated by King Soma. He was one of the sages who witnessed Parashurama's austerities.
the king with the origin of its ritual. He dissuaded Sage Parashara and other sages from performing a sacrifice to annihilate the whole race of demons. He accompanied many other sages who went to Drona to counsel him to stop hostilities between the warring Kauravas and Pandavas. He was also the chief priest at a sacrifice called rajasuya yajna, which was initiated by King Soma. He was one of the sages who witnessed Parashurama's austerities.