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 berkata: Ketika Brahmā memerintahkan Atri, yang terbaik di antara para brahma-jñānī, untuk memperluas keturunan setelah menikahi Anasūyā, Atri bersama istrinya pergi ke lembah Gunung Ṛkṣa dan menetap dalam tapa yang berat.
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.