Atri

In Hindu mythology, Atri is one of the
six sons of Brahma, all of whom
become great sages. All are “mindborn,” meaning that Brahma’s
thoughts are enough to bring them
into being. The others are Marichi,
Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu.
Atri is also cited as one of the seven
sages; the others are Kashyapa,
Bhrgu, Vasishtha, Gautama,
Bharadvaja, and Vishvamitra. All
brahmins are believed to be descended
from these seven sages, with each
family taking the name of its progenitor as its gotra name.
In modern times, these gotra
divisions are still important, since
marriage within the gotra is forbidden.
After her marriage the new bride
adopts her husband’s gotra as part
of her new identity. See also
marriage prohibitions.