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Rishi Atri

अत्रि

SaptarishiBrahma Lineage
Father of DattatreyaAuthor of Rigveda Mandala V

Ancient Vedic sage of the Brahma lineage.

Lineage
Brahma
Related Gotras
1
Primary Location
Chitrakoot hills

⚡Key Life Events

Invocation of the Trimurti — Birth of Dattatreya

(*Bhagavata Purana* 4.1, *Markandeya Purana*): Atri performed severe tapasya alongside his wife Anasuya. His penance was so powerful that fire emanated from his head and reached the heavens. Impressed, the Trimurti — Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva — all appeared and offered boons.

Eclipse Rescue

(*Rigveda* V.40.5-9): During a solar eclipse, the demon Svarbhanu swallowed the Sun. Atri performed specific mantras and rituals that rescued the Sun, restoring light to the world. This is referenced in Rigveda 5.40 — one of the earliest known references to a solar eclipse.

🌳Family & Lineage

B

Brahma

father

mind-born, from his eyes

A

Anasuya

wife

("one without envy") — one of the most revered women in Hindu tradition; model of chastity and spiritual power. She is often depicted alongside Atri.

🕉️Vedic Contributions

veda mandala

Atri and his family authored this mandala — 87 hymns. Notable: RV 5.40 (the solar eclipse hymn), hymns to Agni, Indra, Maruts, and the Vishvedevas.

samhita

Dharmashastra text

smriti

Legal/ethical code

✨Associated Elements

🏺**Moon ** — his son🏺crescent moon motif🦌Cow🦌birds🏺Kamandalu🏺prayer mala🏺the **three-pronged** motif (trident-like🏺representing Trimurti)🏺Three — the dominant motif (three gunas🏺three sons🏺Trimurti)🌿Tulsi and bilva — representing Vishnu and Shiva devotion respectively
  • Transcendence of duality and trinity: His name means "beyond three" — representing spiritual liberation beyond all material categories
  • Balance: Father of sons embodying Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva — he transcends all three
  • Devotional family life: Atri and Anasuya demonstrate that the householder path (grihastha dharma) can achieve the highest spiritual attainment
  • Light over darkness: Rescuing the Sun from eclipse symbolizes knowledge dispelling ignorance

🏔️Setting & Environment

  • Chitrakoot hills — Atri's ashram was at Chitrakoot (in modern Madhya Pradesh/Uttar Pradesh border), where Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana visited him during exile (Ramayana Aranya Kanda)
  • Peaceful hilltop hermitage with panoramic views
  • Gentle forest — not harsh wilderness but a serene, moonlit grove
  • Moonlight features prominently — his son is Chandra (Moon)
  • Three fires (tretagni) burning in his ashram — again the three motif

🔗Related Gotras

This Gotra traces its lineage to Rishi Atri:

Atri

अत्रि

Rigveda

In the Blog

Atri Gotra — Rishi Atri, Saptarishi of the Rigveda & Anasuya

Explore the Atri Gotra — lineage of Rishi Atri, one of the Saptarishis. Discover its Pravara, Rigveda affiliation, and the story of Anasuya and Dattatreya.

Kshatriya Gotra List — Lineages of Warriors, Kings & Nobles

A complete guide to Kshatriya Gotras — how the warrior and royal classes of ancient India organised their lineages, which Gotras are most prominent among Kshatriya communities, and how they connect to the Saptarishis.

Vishwamitra Gotra — Kaushika Lineage, Gayatri Mantra & Heritage

Discover the Vishwamitra Gotra — the lineage of Rishi Vishwamitra (Kaushika), composer of the Gayatri Mantra. Explore its Pravara, Veda, and heritage.

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