SAGEATRI-Part1
Introduction
Sage Atri is a revered ancient Hindu sage, recognized as oneof the Saptarishis
(seven great sages) and a mānasputra (mind-born son) of LordBrahma. He is a
prominentseer of the Rig Veda (specifically Mandala 5), married to Anasuya,and
is known for his intense penance, wisdom, and as the father of Dattatreya,
Durvasa, andChandra.
Atri is one of the well-known sages of Hinduism, who appearedat the beginning
of the current Manvantara (the reign of a Manu). He along withMarichi, Angiras,
Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya and Vashistha are known as sevengreat sages
(saptarishis) of Hinduism . They are considered the foundingfathers of the
Vedic religion and direct descendants of Brahma as his mind-bornsons (manasa
putras). The earliest reference to them is found in the Jaiminiya Brahmana
andthe Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. All the lineages, family names and gotras of
theVedic Brahmana families are traced to them.
Key Details about SageAtri:
Role and Significance: Atri is one of the Prajapatis(progenitors of mankind)
and a key figure in the Ramayana, where he and his wife Anasuyawelcomed Lord
Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana during their exile.
Family: He is married to Anasuya, considered a paragon ofvirtue. They had three
sons—Dattatreya (a manifestation of the Trinity),Durvasa, and Chandra—and a
daughter,Atreyi.
Vedic Contribution: Atri is considered the seer of the 5thMandala of the Rig
Veda. He is also associated with the Atri-samhita and Atri-smriti.
Ashram Location: Legends place his ashram near Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh(at
the confluence of the Mandakini River) or in the Himalayas.
Saptarishi Symbolism: In Indian astronomy, Atri is identifiedwith one of the
stars in the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) constellation.
Appearance: He is often described as a sage who emerged from the tongue of
Brahma,symbolizing knowledge and the power of speech. He is revered for his
extremecompassion and is noted for advisingKing Dronacharya on Dharma in the
Mahabharata
Contribution
Atri is a Vedic sage, who is credited with composing numerousshlokas to Agni,
Indra, andother Vedic deities of Hinduism. Atri is one of the Saptarishi(seven
great Vedic sages) in the Hindu tradition, and the one most mentioned inthe
Rigveda.
The fifth Mandala (Book 5)of the Rigveda is called the Atri Mandala in his
honour, and the eighty seven shlokas in itare attributed to him and his
descendants.
Atri is also mentioned in the Puranas and the Hindu epics of the Ramayana and
theMahabharata.
Legend
Atri is one of the seven great rishis (saptarshi) of thecurrent Vaivasvata
manvantara,along with Agastya, Bhardwaj, Gautama, Jamadagni, Vashistha, and
Vishvamitra.Atri is a mānasputra, one who is born from the mind of Brahma. The
Brihadaranyaka Upanishadelaborates that each of the satparshis symbolize one
sense or organ of Brahma.Atri symbolizes the tongue, which emphasizes his
wisdom and knowledge of theVedas.
Family
According to legends of the Vedic era, Atri was married toAnasuya Devi, who
isconsidered to be one of the seven female pativratas. They had threesons:
Dattatreya, Durvasa, and Chandra.
According to the Bhagavada Purana,when instructed by Brahma to contribute to
the world's creation, Atri, alongwith Anusuya, performed severe austerities
(tapas) on the Riksha mountainrange. Pleased by their devotion and prayers, the
Hindu trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) appearedbefore the couple and offered
them boons.
Atri prayed to all three to be born to them. Chandra was bornas an ansha (part)
of Brahma, Dattatreya was born as an ansha of Vishnu, andDurvasa was born as an
ansha of Shiva.
Another version of the legend states that Anasuya, by the powers of her
chastity, rescuedthe three gods, and in return, they were born to her as
children.
Sage Atri-Treta Yuga
Atri is mentioned in various scriptures, the Rig Veda being themost notable. He
is also associated with various ages, such as the Treta Yuga during the
Ramayana, whenhe and Anasuya advised Rama and his wife Sita.
The sage is also attributed to bringing river Ganga down toearth, as mentioned
in the ShivaPurana.
According to the Shiva Purana and Ramayana, as Sage Atri and his wife,
Anasuya,brought a form of the river Ganga to the Earth (specifically to
Chitrakoot) dueto their intense penance during a severe drought.
This is a distinct,localized narrative from the more commonly known legend of
King Bhagirathabringing the main Ganga down.
Key Details:
The Legend: During a long famine,Anasuya's devotion and austerities pleased the
gods, causing the river Ganga toappear for the benefit of the sage and the
region.
Location: This event is associated with the ashram of Atri and Anasuya in
theChitrakoot region.
Shiva's Role: According to the Shiva Purana, Shiva stayed as Atrishwara in
theforest at their request, while Ganga flowed as the Mandakini river.
Context: This event highlights the immense spiritual power ofAnasuya's tapas
(austerities
He is said to have been a resident of the south, according tothe Valmiki
Ramayana. Puranic tradition supports this as well.
Seer of Rig Veda
A Bhagavata Purana manuscript page depicting the story of Atriand Anasuya
meeting the Trimurti (PhP 4.1.21–25) (paper, late 18th century,Jaipur)
He is the seer of the fifth Mandala (Book 5) of the Rig Veda.Atri had many sons
and disciples who have also contributed in the compilationof the Rig Veda and
other Vedic texts.
Mandala 5 comprises 87 shlokas, mainly to Agni and Indra, but also to the
Visvedevas("all the gods'), the Maruts, the twin-deity Mitra-Varuna and the
Asvins.
Two shlokas each are dedicated to Ushas (the dawn) and to Savitr. Most shlokas
inthis book are attributed to the Atri clan composers, called the Atreyas.
The Atri shlokas of the Rig Veda are significant for their melodic structure as
well as forfeaturing spiritual ideas in the form of riddles. These shlokas
includelexical, syntactic, morphological and verb plays utilizing the
flexibility ofthe Sanskrit language. The verses are also known for their
elegant presentationof natural phenomenon through divinely inspired poems, such
as poeticallypresenting dawn as a cheerful woman in shloka 5.80.
While the fifth mandala is attributed to Atri and hisassociates, sage Atri is
mentioned or credited with numerous other verses ofthe Rig-Veda in other
Mandalas, such as 10.137.4.
Visit of Sri Rama toAtri Ashram during exile
In the Ramayana, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana visit thehermitage of Atri and
Anasuya during their fourteen-year exile in the forest. Atri's hut is described
to be inChitrakuta, near a lake with divine music and songs, the waterloaded
with flowers, green water leaves, and with many "cranes, fisherbirds, floating
tortoises, swans, frogs and pink geese."
During the visit, Anusuya tells Sitato ask for a boon. However, Sita does not
wish for anything, so Anusuya givesher a "precious robe" made of "heavenly
fabric, rich andrare" as well as some pure and heavenly ornaments.
Cultural influence
The Vaikhanasassub-tradition within Vaishnavism found in South India near
Tirupati,credit their theology to four Rishis (sages), namely Atri, Marichi,
Bhrigu andKashyapa. One of the ancient texts of this tradition is Atri Samhita,
whichsurvives as manuscripts.
The text are rules of conduct aimedat Brahmins of the Vaikhanasas tradition.
The surviving parts of theAtri Samhita suggest that the text discussed, among
other things, yoga, andethics of living, with precepts such as:
Self-restraint:
If material or spiritual pain is created by others, and oneis not offended and
does not wreak revenge, it is called Dama.
Charity:
Even with limited income, something should be given awaydaily with care and
liberal spirit. This is called Dana.
Compassion:
One should behave like his own self, towards others, his ownrelations and
friends, him who envies him, and even his enemy. This is calledDaya.
— Atri Samhita, Translatedby MN Dutt
The Vaikhanasas continue to be a significant community inSouth India, and they
adhere to their Vedic heritage
Meaning of name ATRI
The name Atri means the one who is free from the predominanceof the triple
impurities namely Sattva, Rajas and Tamas or one in whom the triple entities
are inperfect equilibrium. Since the triple gunas are represented byVishnu,
Brahma and Shiva respectively, it also means Atri contains withinhimself the
powers and attributes of the three gods. The name also refers to thetriple
aspects of the earth (bhu), the middle heaven (bhuva) and the highestheaven
(suva), to the tripleletters in AUM and to the triple strands in the sacred
thread worn by theBrahmanas.
Last of mind born sonsof Brahma
According to some accounts Atri was the last of the seven sagesto have
manifested from the mind of Brahma. The organ tongue is associated withhis
origin, which points to his erudition or the power of speech, which
isconsidered the key to the knowledge of the Vedas and the chanting of the
sacredmantras in Vedic rituals.
Some accounts mention the name of Brahmavadini or Shubhatreyias their daughter.
Anasuya was a paragon of virtue and chastity, and as popularas Atri. She is
also associated with a few legends, which point to herexemplary conduct and
popularity.
Lineage of Atri
The lineage of Atri through his third son Chandra consists ofmany legendary
warriors, kings and deities. The fabled lunar dynasty (chandravansh) is
tracedto Atri through his son Chandra and grandson Budha.
King Soma was the first king of the lunar dynasty, who ruledover Prayag. Other
prominent kings of this dynastic lineage were Purava, Aayu,Nahush, Yathi,
Yayati, Samyati, Aayati, Viyati and Kriti.
I will continue withYayati, and his wives Devayani and Sharmishtha. Devayani
was daughter of sageSukra.
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