The cutter — fire that purifies, sharpens and nourishes.
| Ruling planet (dasha lord) | Sun |
| Presiding deity | Agni (god of fire) |
| Symbol | Razor, flame, or the Pleiades |
| Gana (temperament) | Rakshasa |
| Naming syllables (pada 1–4) | A, Ee, U, Ea |
| Position in zodiac | Nakshatra 3 of 27 |
Krittika is ruled by Agni, the sacred fire. Identified with the Pleiades and the nurses who raised Kartikeya, it is both the flame that burns away impurity and the warmth that cooks and sustains. Its razor symbol speaks of sharpness and decisive cutting through. Tradition associates Krittika with clarity, courage, a sharp intellect and a protective, purifying nature.
If a child is born under Krittika nakshatra, tradition suggests a name beginning with one of these syllables, chosen by the Moon's pada (quarter) at birth: A, Ee, U, Ea — one syllable for each of the four padas.