Atri is considered to be the Saptarishi who has been mentioned across all the ages of ancient Indian scriptures. He and his wife Ansuya raised Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh as children.
‘Sapta’ means seven, and ‘Rishi’ means a sage or seer in Sanskrit hence, Saptarishi literally means ‘seven seers’. Saptarishi are the Brahmarishi or scholars who wrote the scientific Indian scriptures such as Ved, Puran, and Upanishad. They created and updated them from time to time. The legends say, Brahma created a series of scholars as ‘Manas Putra’ to impart wisdom and education to human beings.
Mahavishnu and the Brahma Rudras appear in front of Saint Atri; Image Source: Tamil and Vedas
Rishi Atri:
Rishi Atri was also one of the mind-born sons of Brahma – a manas putra; and one of the noted Saptarishi. He has been mentioned across all the ages of ancient Indian scriptures – be it Rugved, Puran, Ramayan, and Mahabharat.
He was married to the daughter of Rishi Kardam and Devhuti – Ansuya. The story of Rishi Atri and his wife Ansuya is considered to be a perfect example of married life.
Bhagwan Shiv was never born, so he never had a childhood. Maa Parvati once desired to see him as a child. Then Bhagwan Shiv agreed to be reborn.
Also, it was the result of their great penance that Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh – all three gods agreed to be born as their children. Bhagwan Vishnu’s avatar became Dattatrey, Bhagwan Brahma’s avatar became Chandra, and Bhagwan Shiv’s avatar became Durvasa muni. They also had a daughter named Brahmavadini.
The name Dattatrey indicates him as the son of Atri – an atreya! Dattatrey was the one who once calmed down Parshuram from his never-ending anger.
Rishi Atri is considered to be the author of the fifth Mandal of Rugved called Atri Mandal – a set of interesting Vedic hymns about fire technology, medicine, and astronomy. He is also believed to be the pioneer of the Yagnopavit tradition amongst the Brahmin community.
The legends say that Mata Sita – during the 14 years of exile – visited the ashram of Rishi Atri; and Ansuya guided her about the possibilities and her duties.
The legends of the Chandravanshi kings of India originates from the clan of Chandra who was the son of Rishi Atri. They were Pururava, Yayati, Yadu, and subsequent Yadav clan. He is also said to be the author of Atri Samhita, Atri Smriti, Anustuph Chhand, and the Aagam texts in the Vaishnav tradition.
The same way, the clan of Rishi Kashyap gave rise to the Suryavanshi kings.
Ram, Sita and Lashman at the Hermitage of Sage Atri.
Rishi Atri has been mentioned in the stories of the war of Mahabharat. When the leader of the Kaurav army – Guru Dronacharya was still fighting ferociously despite knowing that they have lost the war. Rishi Atri, along with other scholars, visited him and convinced him to switch to the path of Dharma.
This way, he saved a lot of lives from the endless warfare of Drona, who was the biggest warrior of all times.
Atri and Ansuya are also mentioned in the story of Shiv Puran about river Ganga’s descend on the Indian plateau. Rishi Atri then sets up his ashram and expands humanity from there.
Today, the Atri gotra is believed to be the family lineage of multiple communities – including deities, kings, rishis, brahmins, Prajapati, and Vaishya casts.
