Karthigai, Krittika, or Kartika is the third of the 27 birth
stars of the lunar zodiac. The story of birth of Muruga or Kartikeya is closely associated
with Krittika.
Legend has it that when Muruga, the commander in chief and
son of Shiva, was born, the Devas deputed six mothers called Krittikas to breastfeed
him. As per Mahabharata, after having fed Muruga, the mothers entered into the
sphere of stars and hence this group of stars is called Krittika or Karthigai.
Muruga gets the name Kartikeya from his these six mothers.
As per some Puranas, Krittika is also the daughter of Daksha
Prajapati.