My visit to the Atri Ashram near Khajurao was kind of transformational in impact.
Rishi Atri is the Manasputra of Brahma and he is one of the Saptarishi. Saptarishi’s are the founding fathers of the Vedic religion and direct descendants of Brahma. They are seven luminous or eternal Rishi’s in the sky.
Atri is married to Anasuya. Anasuya (Unenvious, she who had no jealousy), considered one of the Seven female “Pathi-Vrathas” Anasuya’s fame and glory had spread all over the world. Indra and the devas were afraid that she might snatch their celestial treasures from them. They told the Trideva about this. The Trideva took the form of beggars and came to Atri and Anasuya’s hut to beg for alms.
But the beggars demanded that the food be served right now and she serve the food to them disrobed. Anasuya was really confident that her & husband Rishi Atris spiritual strength would save her and accordingly the three beggars had turned into babies.
When Atri rishi came in, he saw Anasuya with three babies. Anasuya offered the three babies at Atri’s feet. Atri realized that they were none other than Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The Trideva assumed their real forms and Anusuya & Atri greeted them to be granted the boon of parenting gods.
Three sons were born to Atri and Anasuya: Dattatreya, Chandra, and Durvasa. Dattatreya was Vishnu, Soma was Brahma, and Durvasa was Shiva.
Many Vedic hymns are credited to Atri, especially those of fifth mandala (divison) of the Rigveda which goes by the name Atrimandala. It contains 87 hymns which are addressed to various gods such as Indra, Agni, Visvadevas, Maruts, etc., and which were probably composed by Atri and his sons.
So, Sri Krishna is considered as the descendant of Rishi Atri. Atri’s name appears in a few legends associated with Indra. In one, he was responsible for his defeat and humiliation when he tried to steal a sacrificial horse from Prithu against the wishes of the sage. It is also said that Atri’s action against Indra in the former instance prompted the devas to churn the ocean and extract Amrit, the nectar of immortality so that they would remain invincible and immortal.
Atri is also mentioned in the Ramayana. It is stated that during his exile, Lord Rama met with Atri who told him about Dandakaranya, the deep forest which existed beyond the Vindhyas, while Sati Anasuya revealed to Sita the duties of a chaste wife (pativrata dharma).
In the Mahabharata, Atri is mentioned in the Yuddha Parva, when Dronacharya was fighting a fierce battle and about inflicting great harm upon the Pandavas with uncontrollable anger, thinking that his son, Asvatthma, died. Atri appeared on the battlefield and persuaded him to stop fighting and give up his life for the sake of Dharma.
Rishi Atri is one of the 18 saints in astrology. 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
