Krittika Nakshatra
Ruled by Sun · Aries and Taurus · Rakshasa gana
Krittika is the 3rd of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions). It spans 26°40′ Aries to 10°00′ Taurus of the sidereal zodiac, which places it in Aries and Taurus. Its ruling planet is Sun, its deity is Agni, the fire god, and its symbol is a razor or flame.
Krittika nakshatra: personality and nature
Sharp, purifying and direct, Krittika is the "cutting" nakshatra. Natives are often described as bold, principled and outspoken, with a strong sense of right and wrong.
Love and relationships
Protective and honest in love, but can be blunt or critical when disappointed.
Career and work
Leadership, teaching, surgery, the military or police, editing, and work involving fire or cooking.
What to watch for
A short temper and harsh speech. As with any placement, the Moon's sign and house, the planets aspecting it and the running dasha change how Krittika shows up in a particular chart.
The four padas of Krittika
Each nakshatra is divided into four padas of 3°20′, and each pada falls in one navamsa (D9) sign, which colours how the nakshatra expresses and matters for marriage reading.
- Pada 1: 26°40′ Aries to 0°00′ Taurus, Sagittarius navamsa.
- Pada 2: 0°00′ Taurus to 3°20′ Taurus, Capricorn navamsa.
- Pada 3: 3°20′ Taurus to 6°40′ Taurus, Aquarius navamsa.
- Pada 4: 6°40′ Taurus to 10°00′ Taurus, Pisces navamsa.
Krittika and the Vimshottari dasha
A person whose Moon is in Krittika begins life in the Sun Mahadasha, the full length of which is 6 years. How much of it remains at birth depends on how far the Moon has travelled through Krittika. The Moon Mahadasha follows. The Vimshottari dasha system derives from the Moon's nakshatra, so this is why the nakshatra matters for timing.
Compatibility: gana, yoni and nadi
In Ashtakoota (Guna Milan) matching, Krittika counts as Rakshasa gana, Sheep yoni (female) and Antya nadi. Gana and yoni describe temperament and instinctive compatibility. Nadi carries the most weight, 8 of the 36 points, and scores zero when both partners share the same nadi. Note that Rakshasa is a temperament label in this system, not a moral judgement. These are read from each partner's Moon nakshatra, so the full pair of charts should be considered together.
For informational and self-reflection purposes only. Not financial, medical, legal, or professional advice.
Is your Moon in Krittika?
Your free Kundli shows your Moon's nakshatra, pada and dasha in under a minute.
Krittika nakshatra: common questions
Sun rules Krittika. A Moon here starts the 6-year Sun Mahadasha in the Vimshottari system.
Krittika spans 26°40′ Aries to 10°00′ Taurus of the sidereal zodiac, so it lies in Aries and Taurus.
Pada 1 falls in the Sagittarius navamsa; Pada 2 falls in the Capricorn navamsa; Pada 3 falls in the Aquarius navamsa; Pada 4 falls in the Pisces navamsa.
Krittika is Rakshasa gana, Sheep yoni (female) and Antya nadi.
It depends on your date, exact time and place of birth, because the Moon moves through a nakshatra in about a day. Generate a free Kundli to see your Moon's nakshatra and pada.