Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 17
Genealogies of Svāyambhuva Manu, the Appearance of Yajña, and Atri’s Sons
Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva Expansions
मैत्रेय उवाच ब्रह्मणा चोदित: सृष्टावत्रिर्ब्रह्मविदां वर: । सह पत्न्या ययावृक्षं कुलाद्रिं तपसि स्थित: ॥ १७ ॥
maitreya uvāca brahmaṇā coditaḥ sṛṣṭāv atrir brahma-vidāṁ varaḥ saha patnyā yayāv ṛkṣaṁ kulādriṁ tapasi sthitaḥ
Maitreya dit : Lorsque le Seigneur Brahmā ordonna à Atri Muni, le meilleur des connaisseurs du Brahman, de faire naître des lignées après avoir épousé Anasūyā, Atri et son épouse se rendirent dans la vallée du mont nommé Ṛkṣa et s’y établirent dans de sévères austérités.
FAQs
Because Brahmā instructed him to assist in creation, and Atri went with his wife to Ṛkṣa Mountain to perform intense austerities (tapasya) as part of that divine purpose.
The speaker is Maitreya Rishi, narrating the events to Vidura in the Fourth Canto.
The verse highlights disciplined spiritual practice and responsibility—aligning one’s effort with a higher purpose, and using steady austerity and self-control to accomplish meaningful duties.