Guna milan (Ashtakoot) is the traditional North-Indian method of comparing two charts for marriage. It awards up to 36 points across eight factors, all based on each person’s Moon nakshatra and Moon sign: Varna 1, Vashya 2, Tara 3, Yoni 4, Graha Maitri 5, Gana 6, Bhakoot 7 and Nadi 8. Traditionally 18 or more is acceptable.
What does each koot measure?
| Koot | Points | Traditionally relates to |
|---|---|---|
| Varna | 1 | Temperament / spiritual outlook |
| Vashya | 2 | Mutual influence |
| Tara | 3 | Wellbeing and fortune (nakshatra count) |
| Yoni | 4 | Instinctive and physical compatibility |
| Graha Maitri | 5 | Friendship of Moon-sign lords; shared values |
| Gana | 6 | Nature: Deva, Manushya, Rakshasa |
| Bhakoot | 7 | Moon-sign distance; family and finances |
| Nadi | 8 | Constitution (Adi, Madhya, Antya) |
What is a good guna milan score?
Below 18: traditionally not recommended. 18–24: acceptable. 25–32: good. Above 32: excellent. But the score ignores most of each chart, so astrologers also look at the 7th house, Venus, Manglik status and dashas.
What are Nadi dosha and Bhakoot dosha?
Nadi dosha occurs when both have the same nadi (0 of 8 points); it is cancelled traditionally when, for example, both share the same nakshatra but different padas, or the same Moon sign with different nakshatras. Bhakoot dosha arises from 2/12, 5/9 or 6/8 Moon-sign distances and is traditionally cancelled when the sign lords are the same or friends. Explore any sign pair in our compatibility guide.
Detailed Kundli Milan
Full Ashtakoot (36-point guna milan) plus a chart-to-chart reading for two people.