Rishi Atri – Applied Indology

Rishi Atri is one of the Manasputra of Brahma. Rishi Atri originated from the eyes of Lord Brahma and the Vishnu’s Dharma. Also known as ‘the Devourer’, Atri Rishi is an embodiment of the power of detachment. Rishi Atri is the Saptarishi in the seventh, i.e. the present Manvantara.

Rishi Atri was married to Anasuya Devi ( Unenvious, An-asuya ; she who had no jealousy ) , considered one of the seven female pathi-vrathas and had the unique distinction in the entire World of begetting three children with the ‘Amshas’ of Tri Murtis. Anasuya is the daughter of Kardama Prajapati.

Rishi Atri performed Tapasya on the Para Brahma on the Kula Mountains, the heat of the tapas became unbearable to the whole world. Lord Brahma gave the Heat a form of a man. The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva appeared before the Rishi and asked what he wanted. Atri asked them to be born as his children. The Trinity channeled through Rishi Atri when they granted boons / Varahs to his wife Devi Anasuya for helping the Sun to rise in the east every day. They had many sons, including Soma, Durvasa, and Dattatreya, who are the Amsha Avataras of the Divine Trinity Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva respectively.

Soma is called Chandratreya or Chandratre, and Durvasa is Krishnatreya or Krishnatre. Soma established the Someshwara Jyotirlinga, used to overcome all kinds of passion. Soma, as the incarnation of Brahma, has the power to bless any species to continue survival.

Soma (Chandra) and Durvasa gave their powers to Datta (Amsa of Vishnu) and went for Tapas. Dattatreya thus carries all the powers and attributes of the Trinity. He represents the Nirguna Para Brahma Tatwa and became a Guru and continues even now.

When the sons of Brahma were destroyed by a curse of Shiva, Atri was born again from the flames of a sacrifice / Yagya performed by Brahma. Anasuya was his wife in both manifestations / Janmas. In his second life, Rishi Atri and Anasuya had a son Aryaman (Nobility), and a daughter, Amala (Purity). The fifth mandal of Rigveda mentions the names of various sons of Saint Atri like Vasuyu and Saptavadhri.

After many generations, Lord Krishna is considered as the descendant of Rishi Atri. Considered to be one of the great discoverers of sacred mantras, Atri Maharishi’s family line had several other greater Rishi and munis, including Shaavaashva, Avishtir, Purvaatithi, Mudgala, Uddaalaki, Shaakalaayani, and Chaandogya. Rishi Atri is the ancestor of some Brahmin, Prajapatis, Kshatriya and Vaishya communities who adopt Atri as their gotra.

Rishi Atri is the first among the Sapta Rishi (seven luminous or eternal Rishi in the sky) symbolized by the great bear constellation (Ursa Major) and the seven stars around it. Prominence of the δ Megrez-Atri is signified by its position in the constellation rather than the magnitude of brightness. In that it can be observed that δ of the Great Bear, or Big Dipper, is the central star having on both sides three stars each. Symbolically, it holds both sides together by providing the point of focus. Saptarshi, among several meanings, are described as “The seven solar rays” (Sapta-rishayaha). Collectively, they are also called Pitarah, the Fathers.

Rishi Atri is one among the Rishis who propounded the sacred thread known as Janivara / Poonal / Jandhyam (after Brihaspati) which has three strands symbolising Creation (Brahma and the letter A), sustainability (Vishnu and the letter U) and Dissolution (Shiva and the latter M). Together these three strands show the vow that a Brahmin takes to recite and adhere to Aum. The first of three threads is provided for the Brahma Vrata (promise of the Brahmin) and is related to Bhu loka (earth plane). The second set of three threads is given after marriage and is related to the Bhuva loka (solar system) while the third set of three threads Deeksha (initiation) and is related to swarga loka.

Out of all the 10 Mandalas of Rig Veda, the 5th Mandala is called Atri Mandala, there is a Mantra which is ‘Drishta Maharishi Atri’. He got this name as he had conquered Trigunas (Satva, Rajas, Tamas).

Maharshi Atri is the seer for 5th Mandala of Rigveda and he is the Drista (one who visualized first) for many Vedic hymens in praise of Agni, Indra and also to the Visvedevas (“all the gods’), the Maruts, the twin-deity Mitra-Varuna and the Asvins. 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. It contains 87 hymns, which are attributed to him and his descendants. Besides the Vedas, Atri also finds mention in the Puranas, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

The Atri hymns of the Rigveda 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 Rigveda in Atri Mandala is considered by scholars such as Geldner to be the most difficult riddle hymn in all of the Rigveda. 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.

The Ramayana finds mention of both Rishi Atri and Anasuya. Rama with Sita and Lakshmana visited Atri’s Ahrama in Chitrakoot during their exile. The Rishi and his wife welcomed them, showering them with the warmest of hospitality.

He also composed the Atri Samhita. Moreover Rishi Atri is considered the creator of Mantras and its distinctions. He also composed religious texts with his triennial power, as well as beautiful stories of characters. Rishi Atri is worshipped as the person with high intellect, knowledge, strong meditative powers, proper religious behavioral conduct, committed worshipper of the Lord and a scholar of Mantra Shakti. Rishi Atri was father of Rishi Atreya Punarvasu, who was teacher of Charaka. Ayurveda and ancient medical field will always be grateful to Rishi Atri. He created many formulations in Ayurveda.

Rishi Atri is one of the 18 saints in the astrology. Rishi Atri has worked in the field of medical astrology. Principles identified by him play an important role in medical astrology even today. Rishi Atri also mentions auspicious methods and Muhurata for worship. The Atreya Mandal of Rig Veda, Kalyan Sukta, Swasti Sukta is considered to be developed by him. Under these, Maharishi Atri described these topics and explained how to worship and celebrate the festivities. The Suktas that were described are being used even today auspicious work and festivities.

The Vaikhanasas sub-tradition within Vaishnavism found in South India near Tirupati, credit their theology to four Rishis (sages), namely Atri, Marici, Bhrigu and Kashyapa. 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 Vaikhanasas tradition. The Vaikhanasas continue to be a significant community in South India, and they adhere to their Vedic heritage.

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About Author:
Subhasini BA, is a Screenplay writer, Director, creative director, costume designer and producer, whose work has featured in some of the most prestigious film festivals in the country and internationally. She has collaborated on several film projects juggling different roles. 

In beginning of her career, she worked as Associate director and Costume Designer with the acclaimed director Girish Kasaravalli. She’s written and directed a documentary film on the famed Krishna Temple in Udupi, and also written plays, screenplays for films and short form content for some of the leading technology companies in India, including Microsoft, Akamai Technologies, LAM Research, and SAP. 

With Knowledge in Sanskrit, Subhasini is a seeker of the Eternal Truth / Santana Dharma, writes on dharma. She is passionate about History, Mythology, Philosophy and Spirituality. She believes Dharma is the manifestation of the natural strength of every living soul.
She lives in Cincinnati.

Image Courtesy: Wikimedia

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