Nakshatra · Krittika
Karthika nakshatra (Krittika): ruled by the Sun, in Mesha and Vrishabha rashis
Krittika is the 3rd of the 27 nakshatras. Its rashi and padas, its lord and dasha, its gana, yoni and nadi for matching, and its nature for muhurat.
In short
Karthika nakshatra (Krittika) is the 3rd of the 27 nakshatras, 26°40'–40° of the sidereal zodiac, with pada 1 in Mesha (Aries) and padas 2, 3, 4 in Vrishabha (Taurus). Its lord is the Sun, so people born in it start life in the Sun's 6-year Vimshottari dasha. It is Rakshasa gana and Antya nadi.
Krittika nakshatra at a glance
| Krittika | |
|---|---|
| Number | 3rd of 27 |
| Also spelled | Kritika, Karthigai |
| Span | 26°40'–40° of the sidereal zodiac |
| Rashi | pada 1 in Mesha (Aries) and padas 2, 3, 4 in Vrishabha (Taurus) |
| Lord | the Sun, whose Vimshottari dasha lasts 6 years |
| Gana | Rakshasa |
| Yoni | Mesha (ram) |
| Nadi | Antya |
| Nature (muhurat) | Mishra (mixed) |
| Marriage star | No |
The 4 padas of Krittika
Each pada is 3°20'. The pada decides the rashi when a nakshatra spans two signs, and places the Moon in a navamsa (D9) sign.
| Pada | Span | Rashi | Navamsa sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pada 1 | 26°40'–30° | Mesha (Aries) | Dhanu (Sagittarius) |
| Pada 2 | 30°–33°20' | Vrishabha (Taurus) | Makara (Capricorn) |
| Pada 3 | 33°20'–36°40' | Vrishabha (Taurus) | Kumbha (Aquarius) |
| Pada 4 | 36°40'–40° | Vrishabha (Taurus) | Meena (Pisces) |
Read more on Mesha (Aries) and Vrishabha (Taurus).
Krittika and the Vimshottari dasha
The Sun rules Krittika, and also Uttara Phalguni and Uttara Ashadha. A person born at the very start of Krittika has the whole 6 years of the Sun's dasha ahead; born near its end, only a little. The next dasha is the Moon's. See Sun in astrology.
Krittika in matching and muhurat
In Ashtakoot matching, Krittika gives the gana, yoni and nadi of a birth star: Rakshasa, Mesha (ram) and Antya. Two people with the same nadi get 0 of its 8 points, the Nadi dosha, unless one of the exceptions Charak lists applies. Check two stars with the free star matching.
For muhurat, Krittika is Mishra (mixed), a star suited to routine work and everyday business. It is not one of the eleven marriage stars.
Questions about Krittika nakshatra
Which rashi is Krittika nakshatra?
Krittika has pada 1 in Mesha (Aries) and padas 2, 3, 4 in Vrishabha (Taurus). Which rashi applies to you depends on your pada.
Who is the lord of Krittika nakshatra?
The Sun rules Krittika, as it rules Uttara Phalguni and Uttara Ashadha. If you were born in Krittika, your first Vimshottari dasha is the Sun's, which lasts 6 years in full.
What is the gana, yoni and nadi of Krittika?
Krittika is Rakshasa gana, Mesha yoni (ram) and Antya nadi (K. S. Charak's tables). These are used in Ashtakoot matching.
Is Krittika a good nakshatra for marriage?
For a wedding date, Krittika is not one of the eleven marriage stars in Muhurta Chintamani ch. 6. For a couple, what matters is how the two birth stars match, not the star alone.
What is Krittika nakshatra in English?
In English, Krittika is the 3rd lunar mansion (nakshatra) of the Vedic zodiac, 26°40' to 40° of the sidereal zodiac, across Aries and Taurus.
Sources
- The 27 nakshatras of 13°20' and their 4 padas of 3°20': Astrojar's engine (Lahiri ayanamsa, sidereal zodiac).
- Nakshatra lords and Vimshottari years: BPHS, the chapter on the Vimshottari dasha, as coded in Astrojar's engine (Ketu 7, Venus 20, Sun 6, Moon 10, Mars 7, Rahu 18, Jupiter 16, Saturn 19, Mercury 17 years).
- Gana, yoni and nadi: K. S. Charak, Elements of Vedic Astrology, ch. XXVII (pp. 456, 458, 460), the tables Astrojar's star matching uses.
- Nature of each star for muhurat: Muhurta Chintamani ch. 2. The eleven marriage stars: Muhurta Chintamani ch. 6.
This is the traditional reading of the classical texts, given for learning and reflection. It is not a prediction for you, and not medical, legal or financial advice.
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