Krittikaकृत्तिका

Krittika straddles the Aries-Taurus boundary, beginning at 26°40' Aries and ending at 10° Taurus. Its ruling planet is the Sun, and its presiding deity is Agni — the Vedic god of fire and the carrier of offerings between the mortal and divine realms. This gives Krittika a quality of bright, focused, sometimes fierce energy. Like a blade, it can cut cleanly or wound; the distinction lies in the intention behind the force.

Classical texts classify Krittika as Rakshasa in nature — not malefic, but operating at the edge of convention, with the capacity to challenge or disrupt. Its symbol is a razor or flame: both instruments of precision and transformation. Key significations include critical intelligence, the capacity to distinguish real from false, leadership, and the metabolic fire that digests experience. Agni's role in ritual purification echoes through the nakshatra's quality.

The classical body area is the eyes and neck — vision and the region through which nourishment passes. BPHS connects Krittika to the throat and its relationship to fire and sound. The Moon in Krittika begins the Sun's six-year Mahadasha. SahiKundli notes this in chart interpretation as a dasha period that tends toward clarity, exposure of what was hidden, and demands on personal authority.