Rishi Atri was the last Saptarishi to be born from the mind manifestation of Lord Brahma. Most Vedic texts indicate that he originates from the tongue. In Hindu Dharma, the tongue often relates to knowledge and wisdom. Thus, Atri rishi has the power of speech or sound.
Rishi Atri married Devi Anasuya, the daughter of sage Kadama and Devahuti. Devi Anasuya is one of the seven pativratas (Chaste) women of the Hindu religion.
After many years of intense austerity, rishi Atri received boons from the holy trinity – Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh to be born in his family. Anasuya (Anusuya) gave birth to Lord Dattatreya, a manifestation of the Holy Trinity.
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Another story related to their children’s birth tells that the power of Devi Anasuya helped to free the three gods. So, to return the favor, the holy trinity was born as her children, where Brahma as Chandra, Vishnu as Dattatreya, and Mahesh as Durvasa. Some ancient texts even mention that in the second life of sage Atri and Anusuya Devi, they had a son, Aryaman (virtue), and a daughter, Amala (pure).
The family lineage of Rishi Atri and Devi Anusuya is called Atri Gotra. The family tree of Atri rishi consists of numerous deities, kings, rishis, brahmins, Prajapati, and vaishya. Chandra or Soma is the first king of the Lunar dynasty, Chandravansh, home to kings like Purava, Aayu, Nahusha, Yathi, Yayati, Samyati, Aayati, Viyati, and Kriti.
Atri Gotra also includes warrior clans like Turvasu of Yavanas, Drhyu of Bhojas, Anu of Mlecchas, and Puru of Pauravas (King Poros). Apart from that, Atri rishi’s descendants include great sages like Savasva, Avistir, Purvatithi, Mudgala, Shakalayani, and Chandogya.
After Deva Guru Brihaspati, rishi Atri is the one who created the sacred system of thread called Poonal or Janivara or Jandhyam. The three strands of yarn represent letters A, U, and M, which signifies Creation (Brahma), Maintenance (Vishnu), and Dissolution or Destruction (Shiva). The first strand is given to the Brahmins as Brahma Vrata (represent bhu Loka), the second strand after the marriage ceremony (means bhuva Loka), and the final strand for Diksha (represent Suwa or swarga Loka).
Maharishi Atri has a different mandala in Rig Veda called Atri Mandala. He is the first to visualize and create hymns for many deities like Indra, Agni, Aswini Kumar, and even demigods. All those 87 hymns in Atri Mandala honors Atri Rishi and his descendants.
Atri Rishi has also contributed to the field of medical and astrology. He has developed rules, methods, and muhurat to perform rituals, yajnas, prayers, and meditation. For Ayurveda, sage Atri has written various texts and formulations.
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