Nakshatra 3 · कृत्तिका नक्षत्र
Krittika nakshatra: traits, lord, deity and padas
Krittika spans 26°40′ Mesha to 10°00′ Vrishabha of the sidereal zodiac. It is ruled by Sun, its deity is Agni and its symbol is a razor or blade.
Krittika at a glance
| Number | 3 of 27 |
|---|---|
| Span | 26°40′ Mesha to 10°00′ Vrishabha |
| Rashi | Mesha (मेष), Vrishabha (वृषभ) |
| Lord | Sun (सूर्य) |
| Deity | Agni, the fire god (अग्नि) |
| Symbol | a razor or blade |
| Meaning of the name | The cutters (the Pleiades) |
| Nature | Mishra (mixed) (मिश्र) |
| Gana | Rakshasa |
| Yoni | Sheep (Mesha) |
| Nadi | Antya (Kapha) |
| Tree | Gular (cluster fig) (गूलर) |
Krittika nakshatra traits
People born under Krittika are often described as sharp, direct and principled. Like the blade in their symbol, they cut through confusion and say what they think, and they often protect and feed the people in their care.
Their honesty can come across as harsh when they are tired or pressed. A softer word at the right moment helps their good intentions land well.
Fields commonly linked with Krittika: cooking and catering, defence and police, administration, engineering and metalwork.
The four padas of Krittika
| Pada | Span | Rashi | Navamsa | Baby name letter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26°40′ to 30°00′ | Mesha | Dhanu | A अ |
| 2 | 0°00′ to 3°20′ | Vrishabha | Makara | I ई |
| 3 | 3°20′ to 6°40′ | Vrishabha | Kumbha | U ऊ |
| 4 | 6°40′ to 10°00′ | Vrishabha | Meena | E ए |
Names starting with these letters are traditionally chosen for a baby born in each pada. See the baby naming tables and the name meanings. About the rashis: Mesh rashi and Vrishabh rashi.
What a Krittika day suits
On a day when the Moon is in Krittika, muhurta texts traditionally favour:
- routine and everyday work
- a havan or other work with fire
- cooking and metalwork
- tasks that mix effort and care
Today’s nakshatra and its end time are on the panchang; whether a day suits you personally is the tarabalam.
← Bharani · All 27 nakshatras · Rohini →
Lord, padas and letters follow the standard tables; meaning, symbol, tree and traits are as commonly given and differ a little between texts.
Questions about Krittika
Who is the lord of Krittika nakshatra?
Sun (सूर्य). In the Vimshottari dasha, a person born with the Moon in Krittika starts life in Sun’s mahadasha.
What are the baby name letters for Krittika?
A, I, U, E for the four padas (अ, ई, ऊ, ए). The pada comes from the exact time of birth: the baby name calculator finds it.
Which rashi is Krittika in?
It spans two rashis: pada 1 in Mesha, pada 2 in Vrishabha, pada 3 in Vrishabha, pada 4 in Vrishabha.
Is Krittika a good nakshatra?
Every nakshatra has its strengths. Krittika is a Mishra nakshatra, traditionally suited to routine and everyday work and a havan or other work with fire; for a person, the whole chart matters more than the nakshatra alone.
How do I find my nakshatra?
From the Moon’s position at birth: the nakshatra calculator works it out from your date, time and place of birth.