The Seven Krittikas

#hindu-myths

The Pleiades star cluster has fascinated cultures across the world. In Hinduism, these stars are known as the Krittikas.

Today, the count of Krittikas is six. But some ancient Hindu sources remember seven.

The Taittiriya Brahmana preserves the names of the seven Krittikas as:

• Amba
• Dula
• Nitatni
• Abhrayanti
• Meghayanti
• Varsayanti
• Chupunika

Later traditions connected the Krittikas with the wives of the Saptarishis (Seven Sages).

According to mainstream Puranas, six of these wives separated from their husbands, while one remained with her husband forever. The six became known as the Krittikas, with Arundati the seventh.

Much later, scriptures preserve some names (which could be the Saptarishis' six wives).

• Shiva
• Sambhuti
• Priti
• Sannati
• Anasuya
• Kshama

Thus, the Hindu tradition appears to preserve two layers: an ancient memory of seven Pleiades stars as goddesses, and a later explanation for why only six are visible in the sky.

Posted: Jun 21, 2026