This article is about the sage named Atri. See also the gotra named Atri. For the Italian city, see Atri, Italy

In Hinduism, Atri is a legendary bard and scholar, and a son of Brahma.

Maharshi Atri

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Atri and AUM

He is among the three main seers who propounded the sacred thread (after Brihaspati) which has three strands symbolising Creation (Brahma and the letter A), sustenance (Vishnu and the latter U) and Dissolution (Shiva{m} and the letter M). Together these three strands show the vow that a Brahmin takes to recite and adhere to AUM (spelt OM).

The first three threads is the Brahma vrata (promise of the Brahmin) and is related to Bhu loka (earth plane). The second set of three threads is given after marriage and is related to the Bhuva loka (solar system) while the third set of three threads Deeksha (initiation)and is related to svarga loka (heavens).

A Sapta Rishi

He is among the sapta rishi (seven luminous or eternal sages in the sky) symbolised by the great bear and the seven stars around it.

Seer of Rig Veda

He is the seer of the fifth Mandala (Book 5) of the Rig Veda. He had many sons and disciples who have also contributed in the compilation of the Rig Veda and other Vedic texts.

His Life

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Atri maharishi is one of the ten sons of Creator Brahma, created by just the will of the Almighty and therefore designated as a Maanasa-putras (mentally generated issues). There were ten of these. Atri's wife is Anasuyaa, a daughter of Kardama Prajapati. They had three sons: Datta, Durvasa and Soma.

Rama, the son of Dasaratha, visited Atri Maharishi's Ashram during his fourteen years of stay in the forest. It was Atri who showed the way to Dandakaranya forest to Rama, after showering his hospitality on him.

Atri Maharishi is considered to be one of the great discoverers of sacred Mantras of Hinduism. In his family line there were a few other seers of mantras namely: Shaavaashva, Avishtir, and Purvaatithi. There were also other great Rishis in that line: Mudgala, Uddaalaki, Shaakalaayani, Chaandogya, etc.

Atri-samhita and Atri-smriti are two works attributed to Atri.

Hindu sages