अत्रि गोत्र (Atri Gotra)
The Atri Gotra is one of the most ancient and revered lineages in Hindu tradition, tracing its origin to Rishi Atri (अत्रि) — one of the seven Saptarishis (primordial cosmic sages). Rishi Atri is credited with composing the fifth Mandala of the Rigveda and is renowned as the father of Dattatreya (the divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva incarnated together), Durvasa (sage of fierce temperament), and Chandra (the Moon god).
The Founding Rishi: Rishi Atri
Rishi Atri was one of the Manasputras (mind-born sons) of Lord Brahma and is counted among the seven eternal cosmic sages of the current Manvantara. His wife, Anasuya (अनसूया), is celebrated as the epitome of pativratya (devotion to one's husband) — her chastity and spiritual power are the subject of one of the most well-known episodes in the Puranas.
In the Ramayana, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana visit the hermitage of Atri and Anasuya during their forest exile. Anasuya bestows divine garments and ornaments upon Sita, and the couple's ashrama in the Chitrakuta forest is described with great reverence.
The Story of Anasuya and the Trinity
The most famous story associated with Rishi Atri involves his wife Anasuya's test of virtue. The wives of the Trimurti — Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati — requested their husbands to test Anasuya's chastity. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva appeared at her ashrama as mendicants and demanded food, but only if she served them without any clothing. Anasuya, through her spiritual power, transformed all three into infants and fed them as a mother feeds her children.
Moved by her extraordinary purity, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva were combined into a single divine child — Dattatreya — who was born as her son. This is why Dattatreya is worshipped as an avatara of all three members of the Trimurti simultaneously.
Pravara and Veda Affiliation
- Gotra: Atri
- Pravara: Atri, Archanaanas, Shyavaashwa (3-pravara)
- Veda: Rigveda (Mandala V — composed primarily by Atri and his family)
- Gotra Devanagari: अत्रि गोत्र
The Atri family's hymns in Rigveda Mandala V are addressed primarily to Indra, Agni, Varuna, and the Ashvins. They are among the most lyrical and devotional hymns in the entire Rigveda.
Notable Descendants of Rishi Atri
The Atri lineage produced many celebrated figures:
- Dattatreya — divine son, worshipped across all Vedic traditions
- Durvasa — fierce sage known for his quick temper and powerful boons/curses (appears in the Mahabharata and various Puranas)
- Chandra (Moon god) — in some traditions, Chandra was born from Atri's eyes through his tapasya
- Sharabha — a rishi of the Atri lineage who appears in Vedic literature
Regional Distribution
The Atri Gotra is found across India:
- North India: Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh
- South India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu (as Atreya Gothram)
- East India: West Bengal, Odisha
- Nepal: Significant Atri Gotra Brahmin communities
Atri Gotra in Practice
At ceremonies, the Pravara recitation for Atri Gotra is:
"Atrasya gotrasya, Atri-Archanaanas-Shyavaashwa-trayarsheyapravara-anvitasya, Rigveda-sutra..."
Some regional branches of the Atri Gotra use different Pravara configurations — always verify with your family elders.
Discover Your Atri Lineage
Explore the full Atri Gotra page and the Rishi Atri profile on Vanshmool. For all Gotras of the Rigveda tradition, see our Rigveda Gotras guide.
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