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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.   

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 Shukracharya (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.   

He was one of the rshis who visited Sri Rama after his return to Ayodhya, after the death of Ravana. He accompanied by 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.   

He was one of the rshis who visited Sri Rama after his return to Ayodhya, after the death of Ravana. He accompanied by 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 yajna called rajasuya yajna, which was initiated by Raja Soma. He was one of the sages who witnessed Parashurama's austerities.   

== Birth and Family ==

== Birth and Family ==

=== जन्मा ॥ Birth ===

=== जन्म ॥ Birth ===

Atri is one of the Brahma manasaputras (mental creation of Brahma) and was significant among the [[Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः)|Saptarshis]]. Another reference to Atri maharshi is that he is the son of Shukracharya. Brahmanda Purana mentions about the birth of Atri during the Homa performed by Brahma by means of his semen.<ref name=":3">Brahmanda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7 Madhyabhaga Adhyaya 1])</ref><ref>Tagare, G. V., (1958 First Edition) ''[https://archive.org/details/BrahmandaPuranaG.V.TagarePart2/page/n8 The Brahmanda Purana, Part 2.]'' Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd.</ref> <blockquote>अहं तृतीय इत्यत्रिस्तस्मादत्रिः स कीर्त्यते ॥ २,१.४४ ॥ ahaṁ tr̥tīya ityatristasmādatriḥ sa kīrtyate ॥ 2,1.44 ॥ (Brah. Pura. 2.1.44)<ref name=":3" /></blockquote>The third was born saying "I am the third (अहं तृतीय)" hence he is named as Atri.

Atri is one of the Brahma manasaputras (mental creation of Brahma) and was significant among the [[Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः)|Saptarshis]]. Another reference to Atri maharshi is that he is the son of Shukracharya. Brahmanda Purana mentions about the birth of Atri during the Homa performed by Brahma by means of his semen.<ref name=":3">Brahmanda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7 Madhyabhaga Adhyaya 1])</ref><ref>Tagare, G. V., (1958 First Edition) ''[https://archive.org/details/BrahmandaPuranaG.V.TagarePart2/page/n8 The Brahmanda Purana, Part 2.]'' Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd.</ref> <blockquote>अहं तृतीय इत्यत्रिस्तस्मादत्रिः स कीर्त्यते ॥ २,१.४४ ॥ ahaṁ tr̥tīya ityatristasmādatriḥ sa kīrtyate ॥ 2,1.44 ॥ (Brah. Pura. 2.1.44)<ref name=":3" /></blockquote>The third was born saying "I am the third (अहं तृतीय)" hence he is named as Atri.

Wife : Anasuya (अनसूया)

Wife : Anasuya (अनसूया)

Sons : Prachinabarhi (प्राचीनबर्हिः), Dattatreya (दत्तात्रेयः), Soma (सोमः) (Chandra) and Durvasa (दुर्वासा)

Sons : Prachinabarhi (प्राचीनबर्हिः), Dattatreya (दत्तात्रेयः), Soma (सोमः | Chandra) and Durvasa (दुर्वासा)

Daughter : Apala (अपाला)

Daughter : Apala (अपाला)

=== Atri and Parashara ===

=== Atri and Parashara ===

Mahabharata discusses the story of Kalmashapada a raja from the Iksvaku dynasty returning from the forest and gets into a fight with Shakti the eldest son of Vasishta (Adi Parva Adhyaya 175-181). In the ensuing fight Shakti curses Raja Kalamashapada to become a cannibal rakshasi. At the same time observing all the incidents Visvamitra (who had hostility towards Vasishta) created another rakshasa (called Kinkara) to take over Raja Kalmashapada. In that state Kalmashapada totally loses his senses and eats all the hundred sons of Vasishta. Inspite of knowing the cause of his sons death, Vasishta remains calm. Vasishta's grandson (son of Shakti) Parashara was born and he comes to know of his father's death. In a fit of rage he decides to eliminate the race of rakshasas and intends to perform Raksasasatra yaga. At that time Atri maharshi dissuades Parashara and other seers from performing the kamyayajna.

Mahabharata discusses the story of Kalmashapada a raja from the Iksvaku dynasty returning from the forest and gets into a fight with Shakti the eldest son of Vasishtha (Adi Parva Adhyaya 175-181). In the ensuing fight Shakti curses Raja Kalamashapada to become a cannibal rakshasi. At the same time observing all the incidents Vishvamitra (who had hostility towards Vasishtha) created another rakshasa (called Kinkara) to take over Raja Kalmashapada. In that state Kalmashapada totally loses his senses and eats all the hundred sons of Vasishtha. Inspite of knowing the cause of his sons death, Vasishtha remains calm. Vasishtha's grandson (son of Shakti) Parashara was born and he comes to know of his father's death. In a fit of rage he decides to eliminate the race of rakshasas and intends to perform Raksasasatra yaga. At that time Atri maharshi dissuades Parashara and other seers from performing the kamyayajna.

=== Atri and Ganga Devi ===

=== Atri and Ganga Devi ===

The Shiva Purana tells the story of how Maharshi Atri and Anasuya were responsible for getting the holy river Ganga to flow down to earth. Atri maharshi was performing penance in Chitrakuta when a severe drought prevailed for many many years. All the rshis and disciples left the ashram and Anasuya continued her service to her husband. Seeing their devotion Shiva and Gangadevi arrived and stayed with them. <blockquote>स्वामिनः सेवनं दृष्ट्वा शिवस्य च परात्मनः ।। साध्वि धर्मं च ते दृष्ट्वा स्थितास्मि तव सन्निधौ ।।९।। (Shiv. Pura. 4.4.9)<ref>Shiva Purana (Samhita 4 (Kotirudrasamhita) [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AA_(%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE)/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AA Adhyaya 4])</ref></blockquote>Once Atri woke up from his meditation and asks for water. Anasuya with an intention goes out to fetch the water knowing well that there was drought. Ganga appears before her to help her and Anasuya requests her for water. Dig a pit and take the water she says. Happily Anasuya takes the water and gives it to Atri. Surprised at getting water, he asks to see the water pit. Gangadevi asks Anasuya to part with one year's merit accrued by worship of Shiva when the couple ask her to permanently stay in their ashram. Anasuya for the welfare of the world passed on one year's merit to Ganga. Pleased with them, Shiva appeared in the form of a linga, and at their ardent request took his seat there permanently by assuming the name Atrishvara (Shiva Purana. Kotirudrasamhita. Adhyaya 3 and 4. Page 1265)<ref>Board of Scholars (1969 First Edition) ''The Siva Purana, Part 3.'' Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd. ([https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.190673/page/n206 Adhyaya 3 Page 1265])</ref><ref name=":0" />

The Shiva Purana tells the story of how Maharshi Atri and Anasuya were responsible for getting the holy river Ganga to flow down to earth. Atri maharshi was performing penance in Chitrakuta when a severe drought prevailed for many many years. All the rshis and disciples left the ashram and Anasuya continued her service to her husband. Seeing their devotion Shiva and Gangadevi arrived and stayed with them. <blockquote>स्वामिनः सेवनं दृष्ट्वा शिवस्य च परात्मनः ।। साध्वि धर्मं च ते दृष्ट्वा स्थितास्मि तव सन्निधौ ।।९।। (Shiv. Pura. 4.4.9)<ref>Shiva Purana (Samhita 4 (Kotirudrasamhita) [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AA_(%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE)/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AA Adhyaya 4])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''svāminaḥ sevanaṁ dr̥ṣṭvā śivasya ca parātmanaḥ ।। sādhvi dharmaṁ ca te dr̥ṣṭvā sthitāsmi tava sannidhau ।।9।।''</blockquote>Once Atri woke up from his meditation and asks for water. Anasuya with an intention goes out to fetch the water knowing well that there was drought. Ganga appears before her to help her and Anasuya requests her for water. Dig a pit and take the water she says. Happily Anasuya takes the water and gives it to Atri. Surprised at getting water, he asks to see the water pit. Gangadevi asks Anasuya to part with one year's merit accrued by worship of Shiva when the couple ask her to permanently stay in their ashram. Anasuya for the welfare of the world passed on one year's merit to Ganga. Pleased with them, Shiva appeared in the form of a linga, and at their ardent request took his seat there permanently by assuming the name Atrishvara (Shiva Purana. Kotirudrasamhita. Adhyaya 3 and 4. Page 1265)<ref>Board of Scholars (1969 First Edition) ''The Siva Purana, Part 3.'' Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd. ([https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.190673/page/n206 Adhyaya 3 Page 1265])</ref><ref name=":0" />

=== Atri assumes the forms of Surya and Chandra ===

=== Atri assumes the forms of Surya and Chandra ===

Another episode, related by the Vayudeva to Kartaviryarjuna in the Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Adhyaya 156), goes thus: During a pitched battle between the devatas and asuras, the latter were winning. The asuras shot off a shower of arrows, obscuring the sun and the moon. The devatas broke ranks and began groping in darkness. Some of them approached Maharshi Atri and begged him to help them. <blockquote>दृष्ट्वा नातिप्रभं सोमं तथा सूर्यं च पार्थिव। प्रकाशमकरोदत्रिस्तपसा स्वेन संयुगे।  जगद्वितिमिरं चापि प्रदीप्तमकरोत्तदा॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.156.9-10)</blockquote>Moved by their pleas, Atri transformed himself into the sun and the moon. The fiery sun scorched the asuras, while the Moon gave light rescuing the devatas.<ref name=":0">Swami Sathyamayananda. ''Ancient sages''. Mylapore, Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math.</ref><ref>Pt. Ramnarayandatt Shastri. ''Mahabharata, Volume 6, Anushashana, Asvamedhika, Ashramavasika, Mausala, Mahaprasthanika and Svargarohana Parvas.'' Gorakhpur : Gita Press. ([https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n710/mode/1up Adhyaya 156 Page No 6064])</ref>

Another episode, related by the Vayudeva to Kartaviryarjuna in the Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva, Adhyaya 156), goes thus: During a pitched battle between the devatas and asuras, the latter were winning. The asuras shot off a shower of arrows, obscuring the sun and the moon. The devatas broke ranks and began groping in darkness. Some of them approached Maharshi Atri and begged him to help them. <blockquote>दृष्ट्वा नातिप्रभं सोमं तथा सूर्यं च पार्थिव। प्रकाशमकरोदत्रिस्तपसा स्वेन संयुगे।  जगद्वितिमिरं चापि प्रदीप्तमकरोत्तदा॥ (Maha. Anush. Parv. 13.156.9-10)</blockquote><blockquote>''dr̥ṣṭvā nātiprabhaṁ somaṁ tathā sūryaṁ ca pārthiva। prakāśamakarodatristapasā svena saṁyuge। jagadvitimiraṁ cāpi pradīptamakarottadā॥''</blockquote>Moved by their pleas, Atri transformed himself into the sun and the moon. The fiery sun scorched the asuras, while the Moon gave light rescuing the devatas.<ref name=":0">Swami Sathyamayananda. ''Ancient sages''. Mylapore, Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math.</ref><ref>Pt. Ramnarayandatt Shastri. ''Mahabharata, Volume 6, Anushashana, Asvamedhika, Ashramavasika, Mausala, Mahaprasthanika and Svargarohana Parvas.'' Gorakhpur : Gita Press. ([https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n710/mode/1up Adhyaya 156 Page No 6064])</ref>

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Rishis]]

[[Category:Rishis]]