Nakshatra 3 of 27

Krittika Nakshatra

The star of fire: purification, sharpness and protection.

Krittika is the cosmic fire that cooks, purifies and cuts away what is false. Natives are sharp, direct and protective, with high standards. With the Sun as lord, and spanning Aries and Taurus, it combines leadership with nurturing strength.

PurificationCouragePrecision

Span: Aries 26°40′ – Taurus 10°00′
Ruling planet: Sun
Deity: Agni
Symbol: Razor or flame
Gana: Rakshasa
Yoni: Sheep (female)

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What is your nakshatra?

Find your Janma Nakshatra

Your birth star is the nakshatra the Moon occupied when you were born. It sets your first Dasha, your naming syllable and much of Kundli matching.

Calculated with the sidereal zodiac and the Lahiri ayanamsa.

Today's nakshatra (at sunrise, New Delhi) is Purva Ashadha. See today's Panchang →

At a glance

Krittika nakshatra facts

Meaning of the name	The cutter, or the star of the Pleiades
Zodiac span	Aries 26°40′ to Taurus 10°00′ (sidereal)
Sign	Aries and Taurus
Ruling planet (Vimshottari lord)	Sun · Mahadasha of 6 years
Presiding deity	Agni
Symbol	Razor or flame
Gana (temperament)	Rakshasa
Yoni (animal)	Sheep, female
Nadi	Antya (Kapha)
Nature (for muhurta)	Mishra (mixed): good for everyday work and routine matters
Naming syllables	A, I, U, E

Agni, the fire god, presides here; the symbol is a razor or flame. The six Krittika sisters who nursed Kartikeya give the star a fiercely protective, mothering side.

Personality

Krittika traits

Strengths

Honest and principled
Courageous in defending others
Sharp critical mind
Determined and hard-working

Challenges

Harsh or cutting speech
Stubbornness and quick anger
Perfectionism that alienates

Careers that suit Krittika

Cooking and the food tradeSurgery and dentistryMilitary and policeEditing and criticismMetalwork and fire-related industriesAdministration and leadership

Four quarters

The four padas of Krittika

Pada 1

Syllable “A”

Aries 26°40′ – Taurus 0°00′ · Navamsa Sagittarius (lord Jupiter)

Sagittarius navamsa (Jupiter), in Aries: idealistic and principled; teachers and reformers.

Pada 2

Syllable “I”

Taurus 0°00′ – Taurus 3°20′ · Navamsa Capricorn (lord Saturn)

Capricorn navamsa (Saturn), in Taurus: disciplined, practical and ambitious for material security.

Pada 3

Syllable “U”

Taurus 3°20′ – Taurus 6°40′ · Navamsa Aquarius (lord Saturn)

Aquarius navamsa (Saturn): humanitarian and independent; works for groups and causes.

Pada 4

Syllable “E”

Taurus 6°40′ – Taurus 10°00′ · Navamsa Pisces (lord Jupiter)

Pisces navamsa (Jupiter): softer and more compassionate; protective care with spiritual leanings.

Love and marriage

Krittika in relationships

Protective, faithful partners who expect sincerity. Their bluntness needs softening for harmony at home.

Gana

Rakshasa

Temperament match (6 points)

Yoni

Sheep

Same yoni: Pushya

Nadi

Antya (Kapha)

Same nadi (Nadi dosha): Rohini, Ashlesha, Magha, Swati…

Check full 36-guna compatibility with a partner →

Wellbeing and practice

Health and spiritual practice

Health

Heat-related problems, digestion, fevers and eyes; cooling food and calm help.

Traditional practice

Offering to Agni (lighting a lamp at dawn) and worship of Kartikeya are associated with Krittika.

Traditional associations, not medical advice.

Common questions

Krittika FAQs

Which planet rules Krittika nakshatra?

Sun. People born with the Moon in Krittika begin life in Sun Mahadasha, which lasts 6 years in full; the balance at birth depends on how far the Moon had travelled through the star.

What are the naming syllables for Krittika?

A (pada 1), I (pada 2), U (pada 3), E (pada 4). Traditionally a child's name begins with the syllable of the Moon's pada at birth.

Which zodiac sign is Krittika in?

Krittika spans Aries 26°40′ to Taurus 10°00′, so it falls in both Aries and Taurus. Your Moon sign depends on the pada.

What is the gana, yoni and nadi of Krittika?

Gana: Rakshasa. Yoni: female sheep. Nadi: Antya (Kapha). These are three of the eight factors (kootas) in Ashtakoota Kundli matching.

Is Krittika a good nakshatra?

Every nakshatra has strengths and challenges. Krittika is a Mishra nakshatra, traditionally suited to everyday work and routine matters. A person's results depend on the whole birth chart, not the birth star alone.