Kundli matching and guna milan, explained

The eight kootas and what they measure

Each koota compares one aspect of the two people's Moon placements. Higher-numbered kootas are worth more points.

How to read the 36-point score

• Below 18: traditionally not recommended for marriage without a deeper look. In practice it shows where you will need more conscious effort.
• 18 to 24: average. Workable, especially if Nadi and Bhakoot are clear.
• 24 to 32: good. Natural ease in most areas.
• 32 to 36: excellent and uncommon.

Which kootas score matters as much as the total. A 26 with 0 in Nadi is read differently from a 22 with full Nadi and Bhakoot, which is why a good report shows the breakdown, not just the number.

Nadi and Bhakoot dosha

Nadi dosha happens when both birth nakshatras fall in the same nadi, which scores 0 of 8. Every nakshatra belongs to one of three nadis, so roughly one in three random pairs shares a nadi. Classical texts give exceptions, such as the same nakshatra in different Moon signs, or the same Moon sign with different nakshatras.

Bhakoot dosha happens when the two Moon signs sit in a 2/12, 5/9 or 6/8 relationship, which scores 0 of 7. It is traditionally cancelled when both Moon signs are ruled by the same planet (for example Aries and Scorpio, both ruled by Mars) or when the two rulers are natural friends.

Neither dosha is a prediction of something bad happening. They describe areas where two temperaments differ and need understanding.

A worked example

An illustrative pair, not real people: Person A has the Moon in Rohini (Taurus) and Person B has the Moon in Hasta (Virgo).

• Nadi: Rohini is Antya and Hasta is Adi. They are different, so the pair gets the full 8 points.
• Bhakoot: Taurus and Virgo are 5/9 from each other (trine), which is normally a Bhakoot dosha. But Taurus is ruled by Venus and Virgo by Mercury, and the two are natural friends, so the dosha is traditionally cancelled.
• Gana: Rohini is Manushya and Hasta is Deva, a generally compatible pairing.
• Yoni: Rohini is the serpent and Hasta the buffalo; the two are neither ideal nor hostile, so this koota scores in the middle.

The full total depends on all eight kootas, but the pattern is already clear: no Nadi problem and a cancelled Bhakoot dosha, which is a solid base.

What guna milan can't tell you

Guna milan only compares two Moon positions. It doesn't look at either person's lagna, the condition of the 7th house or Venus, Mangal dosha, the navamsa (D9) chart that is traditionally read for marriage, or the dashas each person is running. Two people with a modest score can have very supportive charts otherwise, and the reverse is also true. Shared values, communication and effort matter more than any number.

Mangal dosha in brief

Mangal (Kuja) dosha is traditionally said to be present when Mars sits in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house. It points to strong Mars energy (drive, directness, heat) in relationships. Many classical exceptions exist, it is very common, and it is usually considered balanced when both partners have it. It's a theme to understand, not a reason for fear.

How Naksha does compatibility

Naksha shows the full 36-point Ashtakoota guna milan with the breakdown for every koota, so you can see exactly where a pair flows and where it differs. For romantic matches it also weighs both lagnas, the navamsa (D9) charts, Moon and Venus harmony, current dasha timing and Mangal dosha. A separate friendship mode compares friends and family. Add a person with their birth details and the match appears in the app, free.