Agni is the presiding deity of the star Kṛttikā (Krittika). So this star is called Āgneya (Agneya). In the Śabdakalpadruma it is said that Kṛittikā worships Agni, and therefore, is called Āgneya — “Agnirdevata yasya” (one whose deity is Agni). In the Smṛti (Smriti)-oriented instructions in the Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is forbidden to perform śrāddha ( sraddha; funeral rite) under the Kṛttikā star.