Krittika is the third nakshatra, stretching from 26°40′ Aries to 10° Taurus in the sidereal zodiac, and its lord is the Sun. Its deity is Agni, the fire god, and its symbol is a razor or a flame. It is the nakshatra of cutting, cooking and purifying, turning something raw into something usable.
In the sky, Krittika is the Pleiades, the small bright cluster that many cultures have watched. Older Vedic lists of the nakshatras began with Krittika rather than Ashwini, a reminder of how long it has been an anchor of Indian time-keeping. The month of Kartik is named after it, because the full Moon of that month falls near Krittika.
A nakshatra split across two signs
Krittika is one of the nakshatras that straddle a sign boundary. Pada 1 lies in fiery Aries; padas 2, 3 and 4 lie in earthy Taurus. That split matters in practice. A person with the Moon in Krittika pada 1 has an Aries Moon sign (Mars-ruled, quick, direct). Someone in padas 2 to 4 has a Taurus Moon sign (Venus-ruled, steady, sensual). The Krittika core is the same, but the sign changes how it is expressed.
The nakshatra lord, the Sun, gives Krittika its dignity, self-respect and wish to shine. The Sun also rules Uttara Phalguni and Uttara Ashadha, and all three share a principled, somewhat authoritative tone.
One classical detail: the Moon's exaltation point is 3° Taurus, which falls in Krittika pada 2. A Moon there is considered strong and well placed, though it is still read with its lord Venus and the rest of the chart.
Agni and the six mothers
Agni is the fire of the sacrifice, the carrier who takes offerings to the gods. Fire cooks, digests, purifies and gives light, and it also burns. Krittika takes on all of these meanings. Its people are often described as sharp, honest and quick to separate what is true from what is not.
The best-known story is about Kartikeya, also called Skanda, the young war god. The six Krittika sisters nursed him when he was a baby, and he is named after them. So Krittika also carries a nurturing, protective side, like a fierce mother. The Shatapatha Brahmana gives another tradition, linking the Krittikas to the wives of the seven sages. Different texts tell the story differently, and both versions appear in the literature.
Symbol: the razor or the flame
A razor cuts cleanly. It trims, shapes and removes what is not needed. A flame burns away impurity. Both images point to discernment, directness and critical skill. Krittika natives often have a sharp eye and a sharp tongue. Used well, that means honest feedback, precision and high standards. Used carelessly, it means cutting words.
Gana, yoni and nadi
Krittika belongs to the Rakshasa gana. In matching terms this describes a temperament that is independent, forceful and self-protective. Its yoni is the sheep (female), paired with Pushya (male sheep), and its nadi is Antya (kapha).
In the eight-koota gun milan, gana is worth 6 points and some pairings of Rakshasa with Deva or Manushya score low. Nadi is worth 8. The other Antya-nadi nakshatras are Rohini, Ashlesha, Magha, Swati, Vishakha, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana and Revati. One factor never decides a chart, and matching is always read from the whole kundli of both people. Use kundli matching to see every koota and its exceptions.
Muhurta nature: mixed (mishra)
The Muhurta Chintamani puts Krittika with Vishakha in the mishra, or mixed, group, sometimes called sadharana. Tradition uses these for ordinary, everyday work and for tasks involving fire, heat and metal, such as cooking, smithing and kindling the sacred fire. They are neither especially gentle nor especially harsh.
Temperament
With the Moon in Krittika, the mind tends to be proud, principled and determined. Strengths include courage, a strong work ethic, honesty, a protective instinct towards family and a talent for refining things, whether food, words, code or craft. Many Krittika people do well in roles that call for standards and judgement.
The growth areas are a short temper, harsh speech, pride that finds apology hard, and a habit of cutting people off rather than repairing things. The fire that purifies can also scorch, so warmth is the lesson here.
The four padas of Krittika
Krittika's navamsas are Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces, the last four signs of the first navamsa cycle.
Pada 1: 26°40′ to 30° Aries (Sagittarius navamsa)
In Aries by sign and Jupiter's Sagittarius by navamsa. This pada is idealistic, bold and generous, with a teaching or crusading streak. It is the most fiery of the four.
Pada 2: 0° to 3°20′ Taurus (Capricorn navamsa)
Saturn's earthy navamsa makes Krittika disciplined, ambitious and practical. It works hard and builds slowly. This pada contains the Moon's exaltation point.
Pada 3: 3°20′ to 6°40′ Taurus (Aquarius navamsa)
Another Saturn navamsa, but airy. This pada is more social and more idea-driven, often concerned with groups, fairness and reform. It can be detached or unconventional.
Pada 4: 6°40′ to 10° Taurus (Pisces navamsa)
Jupiter's watery navamsa softens the razor. This pada is more compassionate, imaginative and devotional. Its fire turns towards service and faith.
Naming syllables
The naam akshar for Krittika are A, I, U and E, one for each pada.
Krittika as Moon, lagna or planet placement
- Moon in Krittika: life begins in Sun mahadasha, a 6-year period, with the balance at birth depending on the Moon's exact degree.
- Lagna in Krittika: a dignified, upright bearing and a direct manner. Aries or Taurus rising changes the flavour considerably.
- Planets in Krittika: planets here gain focus and heat and give Sun-coloured results in their periods.
Your free kundli shows your Moon's nakshatra, pada and sign. Neighbouring pages: Bharani and Rohini, or the nakshatras overview.