Atri Rushi
India is rich in it’s Vedic heritage with rushi parampara. There are famous stories about saptharushi and their contribution to sanatan Dharma. In an ancient Indian history there is no religion only sanathana Dharma existed followed by all races and classes. Subsequently people started following other Dharma and sanathana Dharma has become Hindu religion. In fact Hinduism is not a religion it is only Dharma and all Vedic sages contributed to uplift and improve Dharma, among them are saptharushi who are great sages since Vedic period . Their contribution to sanathan Dharma is more prevalent and honourable to this day.
Among them one legend Rishi is atri maharshi originated from the tongue of Lord brahma who propagated all Narasimha mantras and his vision several hymns in Rig Veda. He married to Anasuya Devi daughter of kardamarushi. They got 4 children out of them 3 are sons and one is daughter. With blessings of Lord Shiva Durvasa Rishi was born known as Krishnaatri. With blessings of Lord Brahma Chandra was born called as Chandraatri. With blessings of Lord Vishnu Swami Dattatreya was born and daughter is Madhumathi. There are few stories regarding birth of 3 sons one side with penance of atri Rishi brahma vishnu and Shiva appeared and blessed to have 3 sons and other side Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati tested the chestity of his wife anusuya Mata and she was blessed to have 3 sons by Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva . It is true 3 sons are born with blessings of Lord brahma, Vishnu and Rudra respectively. After birth of Chandra a new dynasty started as Lunar dynasty. Atri-Chandra-Buddha-Pururuva and so on continued dynasty.
He is one of the sage in saptha rishi mandal. In Rigveda fifth Mandal is said to be Atrimandal. He lived both during Ramayan and Mahabharat. Atri and Anasuya Mata performed penance and brought river Ganga on earth. While Rama was in exile with Sita they met Atri and Anasuya Mata. After seeing them in tender age and they are wandering in forest and begotten their marital enjoyment in their life, Atri Rishi visioned their lifestyle and suggested his wife Anasuya devi to explain Sri Vidya for Sowbhagya prapthi and stay forever happy married life. Anasuya Mata obeyed orders of Atri Rushi and took Sita Mata into her hermitage famous as Chitrakut. When Anasuya Mata was explaining Sri Vidya of Sowbhagya Ashtottaram to Sita devi, Rama called her to move forward as Sun is about to dawn. In middle of Sowbhagya Vidiya she took permission of Anasuya Mata and accompanied with Rama. Thereafter Rama and Sita never lived happy and no one stayed in Ayodhya. Till today we are struggling to build Rama temple in Ayodhy. This may be one of reason out of many obstacles in their journey. If Sita would have been completely listened Sowbhagya Vidya she might have been overcome obstacles in her married life. Atri Rushi got the knowledge of their future and tried to help them but in vain they don’t understand importance of Vidya in their lifes. Atri is known as brahmarshi. Atri Samhita and smriti are his legal works. Rishis are classified into Brahmarishi-born out of the mind Brahma. Devarshi-born to Brahmarshi, Rajarshi-born to Devarshi to rule kingdom as Rajas, Shatarshi-making Shastras like Shusrutha and Kandarshi-propogated Karmakanda like jamini. Vedas were taught and revealed to rishis by Vedvyas rishi.He revealed Rigveda to Paila, Yajurveda to Vaishanpayana, Samaveda to Jamini, Atharveda to Samantu and ithihasa and Puran to Sutharishi. Atri rushi contributed in fields of Medicine. like Ayurveda and Astrology. He created a new path in ayurvedic medicine with many new methods of promoting good health for all ailments. Rigveda is said to be father of all Vedas. Even today Vaishnav culture follows mantras and Pooja propogated by Atri rushi.
