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Sage Atri – About Rishi Atri – One of the Saptarishis

Sage Atri is one of the Saptraishis and is believed to have appeared from the mind of Brahma. Saptarishis are progenitors of mankind and emerged from Brahma. Sage Atri is the father of Dattatreya.

As per Matsya Purana Chapter 118, Ashram of Sage Atri was located in the Himalayas near the origin of the Airavati River. The place was inaccessible to people. Sage Atri performed intense austerities here.

As per Harivamsha Purana and Brahmanda Purana, the Rishi attained extraordinary powers or Siddhis by performing penance at Rksha or Rkshavana.

Two mantras in the Rig Veda (1/116/8 and 1/117/3) were chanted by the Rishi when He and his family members and other saints were captured by demons and put in a torture chamber heated by straw. After chanting the mantra, Ashwinikumars cooled the chamber by creating snow fall.

Sage Atri was married to Anasuya, daughter of Daksha Prajapati. Atri and Anasuya had three sons – Dattatreya, Soma, Durvasa. They also had a daughter who was known as Atreyi.

In Ramayana (2.117 – 119), Rama, Sita and Lakshman had stayed in the Ashram of Sage Atri and Anasuya.

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