The literal meaning of the word Krittika is ‘one who cuts’. Its symbol is a type of sharp tool like knife, razor or axe. The ruling planet of Krittika is Sun and the ruling deity of this nakshatra is god Agni (god of fire). Lord Kartikeya is also considered as the ruling deity of Krittika. As represented by its name and symbol which is a sharp edged object, Krittika possesses characteristics like sharpness, skill, expertise and the ability to cut whatever it doesn’t find useful.
The influence of god Agni adds characteristics like fire, intelligence and initiative to Krittika. Due to a combination of characteristics like sharpness and being fiery; Krittika can prove difficult to handle at times. Therefore, only the natives with strong and positive horoscopes are generally able to use the energies of Krittika in the best possible manner. In case of natives with weaker or negative horoscopes; Krittika may often become cause of concern for such natives as well as for the others. Let’s try to look into the meanings conveyed by the symbol and fire element attached to Krittika.
Any type of sharp edged tool like knife, razor or axe is not born this way and it needs to be prepared with skill and expertise. Once such tool is prepared, significant amount of caution and skill is needed to use it as even a small mistake in its use can prove troublesome. Most sharp objects are used to remove the unwanted or waste part of something or to cut something bigger into smaller pieces so that they may prove useful in better ways.
Just like such sharp objects, caution and skill is needed in order to handle or use fire, since a small mistake with fire can result in a disaster. Combining these characteristics; it can be understood that Krittika is a difficult to handle energy. Hence only some specific planets among navagraha may be able to make proper use of this energy, that too when such planets are benefic in horoscope as well as supported by the overall horoscope.
Natives under strong influence of Sun or Mars in Aries in Krittika may often choose to join defense forces and they may do well or very well in them. It should be noted that lord Kartikeya was the commander of the army of gods which fought against the army of demons lead by Tarakasura. Lord Kartikeya led the gods to victory by killing Tarakasura.
Hence Krittika has deep connection with the act of war as well as with winning wars. In the first quarter of Krittika that falls in Aries; this war is often fought on some type of physical plane, if planets supportive for such war are placed in it. However, in the remaining three quarters of Krittika which fall in Taurus, most of these wars are generally not fought on physical planes, even if planets like Sun or Mars are present in these quarters of this nakshatra.
This happens because Aries provides perfect atmosphere for Krittika to exhibit its warrior skills on physical plane whereas Taurus is a much subtler sign, compared to Aries. Accordingly, Taurus adds characteristics like refinement, subtleness, enjoyment, charm, elegance and many other such qualities to the quarters of Krittika, which fall in it. Hence Krittika in Aries is like the hot shining Sun on a hot summer day whereas Krittika in Taurus is like the softer Sun on a cold winter day. Though the Sun is still fiery in both the cases; it becomes easier to handle and enjoy in the second case. Hence planets placed in Taurus part of Krittika are relatively less intense whereas planets placed in Aries part of Krittika may often become difficult to handle.
Taking an example, natives under strong influence of Mars in the first house in Krittika in Aries may generally feel comfortable with professions related to defense forces, security agencies, fire-fighting department and sports which require a lot of physical energy or so to say, a lot of fire. On the other hand, natives under strong influence of Mars in the first house in Krittika in Taurus may often engage in creative fields or they may engage in various types of businesses or jobs where direct physical fight or aggression is not required on big scales. Therefore, even the sportsmen under strong influence of Mars in the first house in Krittika in Taurus may choose to engage in relatively softer forms of sports like archery and shooting.
Moving on, since Sun is the planetary lord of Krittika, it adds characteristics like intelligence, magnificence, independence, confidence and majesty to this nakshatra. Here again, different natives may benefit from different characteristics, depending on the planets placed in Krittika, the placement of Krittika in Aries or Taurus and depending on their overall horoscopes. Whereas Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Ketu may do better in Aries part of Krittika; Moon, Venus, Mercury, Saturn and Rahu are more suitable for Taurus part of this nakshatra. Jupiter may perform well in Taurus in the fourth quarter of Krittika falling in Pisces navamsha, under some specific conditions.
Among these planets also, Moon and Saturn may produce best results in Taurus part of Krittika. For example, placement of benefic Saturn in the first house of a horoscope in Taurus in Krittika can bless the native with success through politics or government services like administrative services and judiciary services; among many other types of professional spheres. Krittika adds characteristic of cutting the waste part in order to see or use the relevant part whereas Saturn adds characteristics like patience, analytical ability, discipline, dutifulness and hard work to this combination.
Natives under strong influence of Krittika are generally skilled at looking through lies and weaknesses. Hence they may be natural critics. Since Krittika is a difficult to handle nakshatra; a number of such natives may end up being over-critical; especially when planets like Sun, Mars, Mercury and Rahu are placed in Taurus part of this nakshatra. However, Saturn is best suited to make use of this critical characteristic of Krittika since Saturn can handle it with care, patience and discipline.
As a result, the natives with benefic Saturn in Taurus in Krittika in the first house may prove good judges and administrative officers. The job of a judge is to analyze facts, cut or ignore irrelevant parts, see through the shortcomings and/or manipulations and find the real equation; and he needs to do so with a lot of patience, perseverance and discipline. As Krittika lacks such qualities possessed by Saturn; the placement of benefic Saturn in Krittika in a suitable house can result in a combination which is best suited for people who need to make decisions on day to day basis; after patiently going through a lot of paperwork and other details.
It means the knife is now in the hands which have surgical precision. It means the fire has now been tamed to be used as per requirement; like the fire tamed through a gas stove; where you have the luxury to increase or decrease the flame according to the need of situation. Therefore, the energy of benefic Saturn is best suited for Krittika as only Saturn can slow it down in a way that it gives controlled expressions.
Krittika is full of good characteristics with only one problem; it is difficult for most planets to handle. Saturn may take care of this problem in Taurus part of Krittika and this combination may produce wonderful results; when supported by the overall horoscope. Taurus renders extra strength to Saturn due to which Saturn may be capable of practicing such control over Krittika. The situation in Aries part of Krittika is however quite different, as the placement of debilitated Saturn in Aries part of Krittika may not produce any of these results. Aries makes Saturn go weak and such weak Saturn may not be capable of controlling a strong nakshatra like Krittika.
Apart from Saturn, Venus may be also be able to make good use of energy of Krittika, in the quarters which fall in Taurus. Venus is a fair, just and sharing type of planet, it is strong in Taurus and Taurus is a relatively gentle and soft sign. Hence Venus may do good job in Taurus part of Krittika. Natives under strong influence of such Venus may achieve success as various types of businessmen, creative professionals, government officers, politicians, doctors and many other types of professionals.
However, Venus may not perform well in the first quarter of Krittika which falls in Aries. Aries as well as Krittika are loaded with fire and a planet like Venus may not be able to handle so much fire. Hence it may not perform well here; and it may perform on average or above average, depending on the overall horoscope.
Moon is exalted in Taurus and due to being so strong in this sign; it may also do good work in the Taurus part of Krittika. Moon is an emotional, caring and loving type of planet, it is very strong in Taurus and Taurus is a relatively gentle sign. Hence this placement may bless the native with success as a doctor, chef, engineer, designer, architect, writer, actor, dancer, singer; professional dealing in media industry, hotel industry, travel industry, airline industry, medical industry, movie industry, music industry, radio industry and/or politics.
Like Saturn and Venus; Moon may also not be able to handle the energy of Krittika in Aries part of this nakshatra. Only the first quarter of Krittika falls in Aries and it is ruled by Sagittarius navamsha. Krittika, Aries and Sagittarius are all fiery. Hence a soft and sensitive planet like Moon may not be able to handle so much fire. As a result, it may not perform well in Aries part of Krittika. Such placement can have adverse effect on mental health of the native and the quantum of such effect depends on his overall horoscope.
If there are balancing planets in the horoscope, the problems may be contained. Hence the native may suffer from impatience, short-temperedness, anxiety, restlessness and he may be over-critical. However, most such problems may be contained and they may not get out of proportions. On the other hand, if the overall horoscope doesn’t balance this placement or it aggravates it; these issues may become difficult to handle. Such native may suffer the most in the sphere of relationships since most people may find it difficult to cope with him; due to the presence of aforementioned issues in significant quantum. Hence the native may do poorly in the sphere of love life and marriage; among other spheres.
Since Krittika is a difficult to handle nakshatra, placements of malefic planets in this nakshatra can cause a number of problems for the native as well as for the mankind; depending on the overall horoscope in question. For example, if a malefic combination of Mars and Rahu forms Angarak Yoga in the first house of a horoscope in Aries where one of these planets is placed in Krittika and another one is placed in Bharani; such combination may prove troublesome. If the planetary energies of Sun, Jupiter and Saturn are malefic, weak or corrupted; the native may become a criminal and there also; he may become a terrorist; who may kill many people during his lifetime.
For instance, if Jupiter is placed in the sixth house in Virgo, a malefic combination of Sun and retrograde Mercury is placed in the eighth house in Scorpio, Saturn is placed in the third house in Gemini in Ardra and Moon is placed in the seventh house in Libra in Chitra with Ketu, forming Grahan Yoga; the native may become a terrorist. Such native may become a terrorist or a gangster whose primary job may be to kill people for money; like a professional hitman.
The energies of Krittika and Bharani may be seriously misused in this case. The native may be skilled at the use of weapons as well as at the art of combat due to influence of Krittika. At the same time, he may be fearless, disciplined, dutiful and unafraid of the outcomes; due to characteristics added by Bharani. Add to these, the fire given by Mars as well as Aries; and the element of corruption added by Rahu which can make the native enjoy a lot when he kills people; we have the formula for a perfect hitman or terrorist.
Since no other planetary energy in this horoscope is capable of stopping this combination; such planetary energies may rather be controlled and used by Angarak Yoga formed in the first house. The first house is the core of a horoscope and the impact of strong benefic or malefic energies in this house can dominate or even control the entire horoscope. In this case; the fire and knife given by Krittika have fallen into wrong hands and they may be used for destructive purposes; just like the characteristics of Bharani may be misused.
This brings us to an important fact that in most cases; the energies of various nakshatras provide the abilities and these energies in themselves may be neither good nor bad. In most cases, it depends on the planets placed in such nakshatras; whether such abilities may be used for constructive purposes or for destructive purposes. In the present example, characteristics like dutifulness, discipline and fearlessness may be used by a criminal.
Hence he may be true to his duty, which means once he undertakes a mission; he is bound to accomplish it in a disciplined manner. Since he may be fearless; he may not be moved by fear of punishment or death. The same characteristics rendered to a defense personnel may serve as a blessing for society whereas they may serve as a curse when rendered to a terrorist or gangster who takes joy in killing people.
Moving on, due to their critical abilities, Krittika natives may achieve success as writers, journalists, critics, editors, teachers, coaches, judges in various types of reality shows, moderators on various platforms, actors, singers and other such professionals. The writers under strong influence of Krittika tend to point out flaws of some systems or people whereas the singers under strong influence of Krittika tend to sing songs which feature complaints, grudges and/or mockery of some type.
Due to characteristics like use of sharp tools; Krittika natives may achieve success as doctors, dress designers, tailors, hair stylists, chefs and many other such professionals who use sharp tools to do their jobs. Due to the fire element, Krittika natives may achieve success as defense professionals, fire fighters, chefs, welders, goldsmiths, ironsmiths, IT professionals, engineers and many other types of professionals.
Let’s look at performances of various planets in various navamshas of Krittika. Looking at Sagittarius navamsha; Sun, Mars, Ketu and Jupiter may perform well or very well here, depending on the overall horoscope under consideration. Sun gains extra strength here since it rules this nakshatra. Hence such placement of Sun can bless the native with high authority in government or very good amount of success through business; when supported by overall horoscope.
Jupiter may also do very well here since it rules Sagittarius. After Cancer navamsha of Ashwini; Jupiter may be the strongest in this navamsha; within the sign of Aries. Moon, Venus, Mercury, Saturn and Rahu may not be comfortable in this navamsha of Krittika. Hence they may not do much good when placed in it.
On the contrary, their placements in this navamsha may create a number of problems; depending on the overall horoscope under consideration. Among these five planets; Mercury and Venus may perform on average in this navamsha, if the overall horoscope is supportive. Among navagraha; Saturn may perform the worst in this navamsha.
Looking at Capricorn navamsha; Moon, Venus, Saturn, Mercury and Rahu may perform well or very well here, depending on the overall horoscope. Among these planets; Saturn may perform the best. Such placement of benefic Saturn may bless the native with a post of high authority in government, among other good things. Mars may perform well here since it is exalted in Capricorn. However, it may not perform very well since it is not strong in Taurus. Such placement of benefic Mars may bless the native with success through a creative field or business; among other fields.
Sun may perform above average here since it rules Krittika. However, it may not perform well or very well since it is not strong in Taurus as well as Capricorn. Jupiter may perform poorly in this navamsha since it is debilitated in Capricorn. Apart from that, it is not strong in Taurus. Hence such placement of Jupiter may not do much good for the native. Though Ketu is debilitated in Taurus; it may do relatively well in this navamsha. Ketu is comfortable with the energy of Krittika and it has decent strength in Capricorn. Hence it may do relatively well.
Moving on to Aquarius navamsha; Moon, Venus, Mercury, Saturn and Rahu may do well or very well here. Moon may not perform as well here as in Capricorn navamsha; since it is not much comfortable in Aquarius. However, it may still perform well due to its exaltation in the sign of Taurus. Saturn and Rahu may be able to make the most of this navamsha since they’re both strong in Aquarius; and Rahu is exalted in the sign of Taurus. Such placement of benefic Saturn may bless the native with success through a scientific field whereas such placement of Rahu may render success through a creative field, politics and/or various types of businesses.
Venus may also make good use of the energy of this navamsha, since it is strong in Taurus as well as in Aquarius. Such placement of benefic Venus may bless the native with success through a creative field, hospitality industry, matrimonial industry and businesses of various types; among other fields. Placement of benefic Mercury in this navamsha may bless the native with success as a writer, critic, journalist, media person and through businesses of various types.
Sun may perform on average but not well here, despite being the ruler of Krittika. Sun is not strong in Taurus and it is uncomfortable in Aquarius. Hence such placement may not do much good in many cases. Mars may also not perform well here and it may perform on average or above average here. Jupiter may not do much good in this navamsha though it may perform better here, compared to Capricorn navamsha. Ketu may perform poorly in this navamsha.
Looking at Pisces navamsha; Venus and Moon may make the most of this navamsha. Moon is strong in Pisces and Venus is exalted in this navamsha. Apart from that; this is the only navamsha in Krittika, which introduces water element. Taurus already adds earth element to the quarters of Krittika which fall in it. The introduction of water element may soften Krittika and it may become relatively easy to handle in this navamsha.
Hence Venus and Moon may handle this energy without much difficulty and they may produce good or very good results here, depending on the overall horoscope. One such native may achieve success through a creative field, hospitality industry, food industry, travel industry and a number of other professional spheres.
Saturn may perform well but not very well here, since it is not strong in Pisces. Mercury may perform above average but not well here, since it is debilitated in Pisces. Rahu may be the least strong in this navamsha; within the sign of Taurus, since it is debilitated in Pisces. Hence it may perform well due to being exalted in Taurus but it may not perform very well due to being debilitated in navamsha.
Sun and Mars may perform on average and not well here since both of them are not strong in Taurus as well as Pisces. Jupiter may perform above average in this navamsha since it is strong in Pisces. Ketu may be the least weak in this navamsha, within the sign of Taurus, since it is exalted in Pisces. Hence it may perform on average here.
Himanshu Shangari