Krittika Nakshatra
Krittika is the third nakshatra, spanning from 26°40' Aries to 10°00' Taurus — one of the few nakshatras that bridge two zodiac signs. Ruled by the Sun and presided over by Agni (the fire god), Krittika represents purification, sharp intellect, and the cutting away of impurities. Associated with the Pleiades star cluster (the six Krittika sisters who raised Lord Kartikeya), this nakshatra carries nurturing energy despite its fierce reputation. The razor/flame symbol represents the ability to cut through illusion and purify through fire.
Krittika at a Glance
Meaning
The Cutter / The Pleiades
Deity
Agni (God of Fire)
Ruling Planet
Sun (Surya)
Zodiac Sign
Aries-Taurus
Range
26°40' Aries - 10°00' Taurus
Symbol
Razor / Flame / Axe
Animal Symbol
Female Sheep
Gana
Rakshasa (Demon)
Guna
Rajas
Element
Earth
Gender
Female
Direction
North
Body Part
Hips, loins, crown of head
Caste
Brahmin (Priest)
Naming Letters
A, Ee, U, Ea
Krittika Personality Traits
Sharp intellect with ability to see through deception instantly
Strong moral compass — cannot tolerate dishonesty or injustice
Nurturing and protective despite outwardly fierce appearance
Critical and perfectionist — high standards for self and others
Courageous and willing to fight for what is right
Can be brutally honest — the razor cuts both ways
Strong appetite for both food and knowledge
Dignified bearing with natural authority and leadership
Strengths
Weaknesses
Krittika in Different Life Areas
Krittika Career & Profession
Krittika natives excel in roles requiring precision and authority: military command, surgery, engineering, quality control, auditing, food industry (Agni = cooking fire), smithing and metallurgy, gemology, spiritual teaching, and editorial work. Sun's rulership gives natural leadership ability. The critical eye makes them excellent in inspection, evaluation, and purification roles. Many successful chefs, critics, and judges have strong Krittika influence in their charts.
Krittika Love & Relationships
In love, Krittika natives are loyal, protective, and passionate. They set high standards for partners and can be demanding. The nurturing Krittika sisters energy makes them deeply caring parents. Matches work best with nakshatras that appreciate honesty: Uttara Phalguni (Sun-ruled), Rohini (nurturing Taurus), and Pushya (caring Cancer). Challenges arise when partners feel criticized — Krittika must learn to temper honesty with gentleness.
Krittika Health & Wellness
Krittika governs hips, loins, and crown of the head. Agni connection means digestive health is crucial — stomach acidity, ulcers, and metabolic issues are common. Sun rulership can cause eye problems, fevers, and skin conditions. Fire element may manifest as inflammation. Best health practices: regular meals (strong Agni needs fuel), sun exposure in moderation, cooling foods during summer, and fire-element balancing through water sports or cooling pranayama.
Krittika Spirituality
Krittika's spiritual path is purification through fire — tapas (austerity), Agni worship, and the burning away of karmic impurities. The Pleiades connection links to ancient stellar wisdom traditions across cultures. Recommended practices: Surya Namaskar, fire ceremonies (Havan/Yajna), fasting, Gayatri Mantra (Sun mantra), and meditation on inner fire (Agni Sara). Krittika natives often serve as spiritual teachers or purifiers — those who help others shed illusions and connect with truth.
★Remedies for Krittika Nakshatra
For strengthening Krittika Nakshatra: chant the Surya (Sun) beej mantra "Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah" 108 times at sunrise. Perform Agni Havan (fire ceremony) regularly — even lighting a ghee lamp at home during sunrise and sunset activates Krittika's purifying energy. Wearing a Ruby (Manikya) in gold on the ring finger on a Sunday during Krittika Nakshatra strengthens the Sun's authoritative and purifying influence. Offer water (Arghya) to the rising Sun every morning while chanting Gayatri Mantra — this is the single most powerful remedy for Krittika natives. Donate wheat, jaggery, or copper items on Sundays. Cooking and feeding others activates the Agni deity's blessing — Krittika natives benefit immensely from hosting meals. Fasting on Sundays and visiting Shiva temples (Agni is a form of Shiva's transformative fire) once a week keeps the fire element balanced. Avoid excessive anger and harsh speech through daily journaling and mindful communication practices.
Baby Naming Letters for Krittika
In Vedic tradition, naming a child with the syllable of their birth nakshatra pada strengthens the connection to their birth star's positive energy.
Pada 1
Pada 2
Pada 3
Pada 4
Frequently Asked Questions about Krittika
What is Krittika Nakshatra in Vedic astrology?
Krittika is the third nakshatra spanning 26°40' Aries to 10°00' Taurus. Ruled by the Sun and presided by Agni (fire god), it represents purification, sharp intellect, and nurturing protection. Named after the Pleiades star cluster (the six Krittika sisters who raised Kartikeya), this nakshatra bridges Aries' warrior energy with Taurus' nurturing stability. Krittika natives are sharp-minded, morally courageous, and naturally authoritative.
Why does Krittika span two zodiac signs?
Krittika spans Aries and Taurus because nakshatras and zodiac signs use different division systems. The 27 nakshatras divide the 360° zodiac into 13°20' segments, while the 12 signs divide it into 30° segments — these don't align perfectly. Krittika in Aries (1st pada) has more warrior-like, independent energy, while Krittika in Taurus (padas 2-4) expresses through nurturing, artistic, and grounded qualities. The sign placement significantly modifies the nakshatra's expression.
What are the best careers for Krittika Nakshatra?
Best careers for Krittika include: military and defense leadership, surgery and medicine, culinary arts and food industry, quality control and auditing, engineering and metallurgy, spiritual teaching and priesthood, editorial work and criticism, gemology, and fire-related professions. The Sun's authority combined with Agni's purifying fire creates leaders in any field requiring precision, courage, and integrity.
What are naming syllables for Krittika Nakshatra?
The traditional naming syllables for Krittika babies are: A (1st pada in Sagittarius Navamsha), Ee (2nd pada in Capricorn Navamsha), U (3rd pada in Aquarius Navamsha), and Ea (4th pada in Pisces Navamsha). The 1st pada falls in Aries while padas 2-4 fall in Taurus, giving different flavors to each.
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