What is kundli matching?
Kundli matching compares the birth charts of two people to understand their compatibility. The most widely used method in North India is Ashtakoot guna milan, which compares the Moon's position (the Moon sign and nakshatra) in both charts across eight areas, called kootas, for a total of 36 points (gunas).
The 8 kootas and what they look at
| Koota | Points | What it reflects |
|---|---|---|
| Varna | 1 | Spiritual and ego compatibility |
| Vashya | 2 | Mutual attraction and influence |
| Tara | 3 | Wellbeing and fortune together |
| Yoni | 4 | Physical and intimate compatibility |
| Graha Maitri | 5 | Mental wavelength and friendship |
| Gana | 6 | Temperament (deva, manushya, rakshasa) |
| Bhakoot | 7 | Emotional bond, family and finances |
| Nadi | 8 | Health and progeny (the highest-weighted koota) |
What does your score mean?
- Below 18: traditionally considered not recommended without a closer look.
- 18 to 24: acceptable; the details matter more than the total.
- 25 to 32: good compatibility.
- Above 32: very good, though a high score alone doesn't guarantee harmony.
Doshas you may hear about
Nadi dosha occurs when both partners have the same Nadi (scoring 0 of 8). Bhakoot dosha relates to the relative positions of the two Moon signs. Manglik (Mangal) dosha is assessed separately from the 36 gunas, based on the placement of Mars. Classical texts describe several cancellations (parihara) for these doshas, so a dosha on a basic report is not, by itself, a reason for fear.
What matters beyond the score
A computer-generated score looks only at the Moon. A thoughtful reading also considers the 7th house of partnership, Venus and Jupiter, the timing of current dashas, and above all how the two people actually communicate, share values and handle conflict. Two people with a modest score can build a loving marriage, and a high score cannot replace mutual respect.
What you need for matching
Date, exact time and place of birth for both partners. If a birth time isn't known, a prashna (horary) reading can answer a specific question instead.
Astrology offers guidance, not certainty. Decisions about your relationship always remain yours.