Kratu

Kratu (Sanskrit: क्रतु) is one of the seven great sages (Saptarishi) in Hindu tradition, born directly from the mind of Brahma, the creator deity. The name 'Kratu' is derived from the Sanskrit word for 'sacrificial rite' or 'intelligence,' reflecting his profound knowledge of Vedic rituals and cosmic order. In the Rigveda (10.130.7), the Saptarishi are invoked as primordial seers who established the sacrificial tradition, and Kratu is enumerated among them. The Mahabharata (Shanti Parva 335) further elaborates that Kratu was created by Brahma to assist in the propagation of dharma and the performance of yajnas (sacrifices).

According to the Puranas, such as the Vishnu Purana (Book 1, Chapter 7), Kratu is married to Kriya (or Kratu's wife is sometimes named as Sannati, the daughter of Daksha), and his descendants form the Kratu lineage, a clan of rishis known for their ritual expertise. Iconographically, Kratu is depicted as a serene, bearded sage with matted hair, holding a staff (danda) and sacrificial implements such as a ladle (sruk) and a pot (kundika), symbolizing his role as a master of ceremonies. He is often shown seated in meditation or performing a fire sacrifice. In the Skanda Purana (Maheshvara Khanda), Kratu is associated with the star Krittika (the Pleiades), which is named after him, and he is considered the regent of that asterism.

Regional traditions, especially in South India, honor Kratu during the Saptarishi puja conducted on the full moon day of the month of Magha, where the seven sages are venerated as guides of humanity. In Hindu cosmology, Kratu represents the principle of ritual action and the preservation of cosmic law (rita). His role underscores the importance of sacrifice in maintaining the balance of the universe, as described in the Bhagavata Purana (3.12.22), where Brahma's mind-born sons are tasked with populating the world and upholding Vedic traditions. Kratu's wisdom is also celebrated in the Yajurveda, where he is invoked in sacrificial formulas.

Though less prominent than some other Saptarishi, Kratu's legacy endures in the lineage of rishis who continue to perform yajnas and transmit Vedic knowledge.

Depicted as a Vedic sage, often with sacrificial implements.