ATRI-PART 4-Last part
Continuedfrom part 3
Sri Rama visitshermitage of Atri during Forest life
Sri Rama visited AtriMaharishi's Ashram during his fourteen years of stay in
the forest. It was Atri who showed the way toDandakaranya after showering his
hospitality on him.
At his suggestion, Sita requested and learnt the innermost secrets ofPativarata
Dharma from Anasuya mata.
It is not that Sita was not aware of them but in an avatar,the Divine behave as
if they are normal people and especially in Ramayana, SriRama and Sri Sita
showed that it is entirely possible to be divine and yet leada normal life as
per the human values. Let us bow to Sri Sita, Sri Rama, SriLakshmana, Sage Atri
and Anasuya Mata.
My note- Naturaldoubt may arise with us if so, how did Sri Rama doubted the
integrity of Sitaafter return from Lanka, (killing Ravana) . So I raised this
point with Google
Google search result
According to the Valmiki Ramayana and various interpretationsof the narrative,
SriRama did not personally doubt the integrity or chastity of Sita.
Theincident, known as Agni Pariksha (or more accurately, Agni Pravesh), was
performed for public, social, anddharma-related reasons, rather than a personal
lack of trust.
Here is why this occurred despite Anasuya instructing Sita onPativrata Dharma:
Establishing Maryada(Social Standard):Rama, as an ideal king (Maryada
Purushottama), had to be above suspicion. His primary duty was to maintain the
moralstandards of his kingdom, known as Raja Dharma. Since Sita was in
Ravana'scustody for nearly a year, the public would have questioned her
purity,regardless of the divine knowledge Rama had of her innocence.
The Maya SitaInterpretation: Manyversions of the Ramayana explain that the Sita
who was abducted by Ravana wasactually a Maya Sita (illusion/shadow Sita),
while the real Sita wasunder the protection of Agni, the Fire God.
The Agni Pariksha was the mechanism through which the realSita was returned and
the Maya Sita disappeared.
Agnipariksha was not a doubt but a test for the Public:Rama’s words in the
Yuddha Kanda ("I have no more any affection for you") areinterpreted not as a
personal accusation, but as a deliberate act to provoke the fireordeal. This
was done to publicly prove her purity to the world,ensuring that no subject
could later question the integrity of the Queen ofAyodhya.
Sita's Free Will: Sita, in the Valmiki Ramayana,often orders Lakshmana to
prepare the pyre herself, demonstrating that it washer voluntary action to
satisfy the world's doubts, rather than a forced testby a suspicious husband.
Anasuya's Blessing: The teachings of Anasuya onPativrata Dharma were actually
fulfilled by Sita through her unflinchingdevotion, even while in captivity. The
ordeal simply provided a platform topublicly validate this already existing
truth.
In essence, Rama’s actions were to uphold the integrity ofhis reign and social
order, sacrificing his personal happiness for his duty asa king, while
personally having complete faith in Sita.
Sacred Mantrasdiscovery
Sage Atri is considered to be one of the great discoverers ofsacred Mantras of
Hinduism. In his family line, there were a few other seers ofmantras namely:
Shaavaashva, Avishtir, and Purvaatithi. There were also other great Rishisin
that line: Mudgala, Uddaalaki, Shaakalaayani, chaandogya, etc.
Sage Atri and AUM:
He is among the three main seers who propounded the sacredthread (after
Brihaspati) which has three strands symbolishing Creation (Brahmaand the letter
A), sustainability (Vishnu and the letter U) and Dissolution(Shiva {m} and the
latter M).
Together these three strands show the vow that a Brahmintakes to recite and
adhere to Aum. The first of three threads is provided forthe Brahma vrata
(promise of the Brahmin) and is related to Bhu loka (earthplane). The second
set of three threads is given after marriage and is relatedto the Bhuvar loka
(solar system) while the third set of three threads Deeksha(initiation) and is
related to Swarga loka (heavens).
Sage Narada praisingtoo much on chastity of Anasuya
Sage Narada praisedAnusuya very much thereby making the wives of
Brahma-Vishnu-Shivajealous of Anusuya.
They requested their husbands to go and break her"pativrata" vrata (being loyal
to husband all the time). They went toAnusuya as guests when Atriwas not there
at home pretending as sages andasked her to serve them food (lunch) without
wearing clothes.
She agreed and remembering her husband put the water on theirconverting them to
3 babies.
The three goddesses were waiting for their husbands to come back and
eventually arrivedat the scene to find that their husbands have been converted
to babies. They repented and by the request of Anusuya the three Gods decided
tobe born as her 3 sons.
Sage Atri was overjoyed and named them Datta, which means'given'. At this, the
threeGods reverted to their real forms and disclosed the truth. Theyextolled
the power of chastity and purity of Anusuya, which vanquished thecombined and
colossal powers of all the three of them. Sage Atri and Anusuyaprayed that they
should remain as their sons. They consented and the three Gods merged into one
body.This is how Lord Dattatreya incarnated.
Anasuya lettingSunrise incident- In detail
My note- It was told inbrief already
A Brahmin named Kaushik was staying ina town called Pratishthaan. He used to
go to a whore in spite ofbeing a Brahmin and having a devoted wife.
Later, he suffered from Leprosy and was thrown out by thewhore. Then he
returned back to his wife who still accepted him. However, he still did not
care forthe wife, and was thinking about the whore all the time. One day he
asked hiswife to take him to that whore.
In that town, by mistake the sage Mandavya had been spiked instead of thereal
thief and he was lyingon the spike in the forest.
While walking through the deep forest in the night, Kaushik happened to hit his
leg bymistake of sage Mandavya who cursed him to death before the sunrise.
To stop the curse, Kaushik's wife with her powers stoppedthe Sunrise which
created havoc.
Then gods went to Brahma who in turn went to Anusuya andasked her to convince
Kaushik's wife to allow the sunrise. Anasuya convinced Kaushik's wife and
brought backKaushik to life after the sunrise. Gods were very happy with
Anusuyaand she had the trio born to her.
Bringing Mandakiniriver to chitrakootu
As per description ofValmiki at one timethere was no rain in Chitrakuta for ten
years. There was a severe famine andnothing was left to eat or drink for
animals and birds. Sati Anusuya performed hard andintensive austerities and got
the river Mandakini down on earth.
This led to thegreenery and forests to grow which removed the sufferings of
all sages and theanimals. Sati Anusuya ashrama at present is a very peaceful
place where variousstreams from the hills converge and form the Mandakini
River. It is said that Rama along with Sitahad visited this place to meet
Maharishi Atri and Sati Anusuya. Itis here Sati Anusuya explained to Sita the
grandeur and importance of satitva.The dense forests of Dandaka start from this
place. It was ruled by Ravana. Ravana hadappointed strong rakshasas like Khara
and Viradha as its rulers. The place wasinfected by the terror of rakshasas.
Mata Anusuya Ashram inNorth India:
Sati Anusuya ashramais in Chitrakuta, located further upstreams the Mandakini
River, 16 km from the town, set amidstthick forests that round to the melody of
birdsong all day. It was here that sage Atri,his wife Anusuya and their three
sons (who were the three incarnations ofBrahma, Vishnu and Mahesh), lived and
are said to have meditated.
Sage Atri and MataAnusuya Ashram in South India:
The both great sages Atri maharishi and Anusuya devi livedtogether in
Suchindram nearKanyakumari located 13 km. from Kanyakumari in Tamilnadu.
According to local legend, Sage Atri and his wife Anasuya hadtheir hermitage
(ashram) at Suchindram, known in ancient times as Gnaanaranya. The renowned
Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple in Kanyakumari district,Tamil Nadu, is closely
associated with this story, where the Trinity (Brahma,Vishnu, Shiva) tested
Anasuya's devotion.
Key details regardingSage Atri at Suchindram:
Location: The historic site is connected tothe Suchindram Temple complex,
located about 11 km from Kanyakumari.
Legend: It is believed that the Trimurtivisited Sage Atri’s hermitage while he
was away, and Anasuya turned them intochildren.
Significance: The area became known as "Suchi"(purified) + "Indra" (the king of
gods) = Suchindram.
While there may not be a prominent, separate"Ashram" building labelled as such
for tourists, the temple itself serves as the sitecommemorating the story of
Sage Atri and Anasuya
Sage Atri and Astrology
Sage Atri has profound impact and significance in Vedictraditions, especially
in the arena of spirituality and Vedic Astrology. Atriinfluence resonates in
the present day Vedic Jyotish advancement which givesclues about the impending
course of events. Atri Astrology and Atri Jyotish hasprovided immense benefits
to the populace.
Sage Atri made foundational contributions to Vedic astrology(Jyotisha) and
astronomy by developing methods for timing rituals, yajnas, andanalyzing
planetary movements. He is credited with creating the Atri Nadi, apalm-leaf
system used to predict life destinies, past, and karma.
Atri Nadi Astrology : Sage Atri is recognized as anoriginator of Nadi Shastra,
which provides detailed insights into a person’spast, present, and future,
including previous births and remedies for badkarma.
Muhurat and Ritual Science: Atri Maharishi developed specificrules, methods,
and auspicious times (muhurats) for performing vedic rituals,prayers, and
meditation.
Astronomy and Math: He is considered one of theoriginal teachers of Jyotisha
(astrology)Gaṇita (mathematics), and astronomy.
Rituals Dedicated toAtri:
Atri sage, of the stature of a Saptarishi followed a strictregimen of religious
practices, scrupulously adhering to vidhi and vidhan.
Atri rituals, Atri prayers, Atri Puja and Atri worshippractices involve Aarti
with burning cotton wicks of oil lamps, recitation of mantras andoffering of
flowers and prasad before Atri idols and Gods and Goddesses.
Temple dedicated toAtri Maharishi:
Atri-Anasuya Devi temple near Gopeshwar in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
Thisone of the Atri Temples/ Atri worship locations/ Atri pilgrimage sites, is
at adistance of about 13 km from Gopeshwar and involves further trekkingon 6 km
long stretch.
Source of Wisdom inthe Mahabharata:Atri is mentioned in the Anushasana Parva of
the Mahabharata as a Brahmarishi,one of the great sages who attained supreme
knowledge through the continuouschanting of the Gayatri Mantra.
Connection to KingAmbarisha:
Atri's son, Durvasa (a partial incarnation of Shiva), isfamously associated
with the story of King Ambarisha, a Vishnu devotee in theDwapara Yuga, where
Durvasa tests the King's devotion.
Context of the Age:
As an immortal Saptarishi of the current VaivasvataManvantara, Atri is
considered to be present across different yugas, continuinghis role as a mentor
and ascetic.
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