Compatibility · Illustrated
36 Guna Matching (Ashtakoota) Explained — The 8 Kootas of Kundli Milan
When families "match horoscopes", this is the system they use. Here's what the 36 gunas of Ashtakoota actually measure, koota by koota — and why the total score isn't the whole story.
In Vedic marriage matching, you'll hear a single number quoted: "they matched 28 out of 36." That number comes from Guna Milan — the Ashtakoota system, which scores the compatibility of two people across eight factors (kootas) worth a combined 36 points (gunas). It's the most widely used compatibility method in India. Here's what's actually being measured.
How the 36 points break down
Each of the eight kootas is worth a different number of points, and they add up to 36:
The whole system is calculated from the Moon's nakshatra and sign of each partner — not the Sun sign, and not (in this part) the full chart. The eight kootas, from smallest to largest weight:
1. Varna — 1 point · work & ego compatibility
Compares the "varna" (a spiritual-temperament class) of the two Moon signs. It checks that the partners' egos and natural roles fit together without friction.
2. Vashya — 2 points · mutual attraction & influence
Measures the magnetic pull and the balance of influence between the two — who naturally holds sway, and whether that balance is harmonious.
3. Tara — 3 points · health, fortune & destiny
Compares the partners' birth stars for mutual auspiciousness and wellbeing. It's checked in both directions, so each partner's star is auspicious for the other.
4. Yoni — 4 points · physical & sexual compatibility
Each nakshatra has an animal symbol (its yoni). This koota assesses instinctive, physical and sexual harmony between the two natures.
5. Graha Maitri — 5 points · mental & intellectual friendship
Compares the lords of the two Moon signs. Friendly planets ruling the signs mean an easy meeting of minds; enemy lords suggest mental friction. This is one of the most meaningful kootas for long-term companionship.
6. Gana — 6 points · temperament
Sorts each nakshatra into Deva (divine), Manushya (human) or Rakshasa (demonic) temperament and checks the pairing. A Deva–Rakshasa mismatch is a flagged dosha.
7. Bhakoot — 7 points · emotional & family harmony, love
Based on the distance between the two Moon signs. Certain distances (2/12, 5/9, 6/8) are considered inauspicious for emotional and financial harmony — a Bhakoot dosha.
8. Nadi — 8 points · health & progeny
The single most important koota. It compares the Ayurvedic nadi (Adi/Madhya/Antya) of the two birth stars. Same nadi scores zero and is the most serious dosha (Nadi dosha), traditionally linked to health and childbearing concerns.
What the total score means
Add up the eight kootas and you get a score out of 36. The commonly used thresholds — and the exact ones the matching tool on this site reports — are:
- Below 18 — below the traditional threshold; classical texts advise caution.
- 18–24 — an acceptable, workable match.
- 25–32 — a very good match, strong on most counts.
- 33–36 — an excellent, rare alignment.
A score of 18 is the classical minimum generally considered viable.
Why a high score isn't the whole story
Here's the crucial nuance most score-only calculators hide: certain doshas can block a marriage even when the total is high. The three to watch — all flagged automatically by this site's tool — are:
- Nadi dosha (same nadi, –8).
- Bhakoot dosha (inauspicious Moon-sign distance, –7).
- Gana dosha (a serious temperament mismatch).
Conversely, these doshas are often cancelled by other factors (for example, the same sign or certain lordship combinations cancel Nadi or Bhakoot dosha), so a flagged dosha is not automatically fatal.
And there is a bigger limitation: Ashtakoota is built only from the Moon. It says nothing about the 7th house (marriage itself), the condition of Venus and Jupiter (love and wisdom in marriage), Mangal dosha, or the dashas the couple will run together. A thoughtful match weighs the guna score alongside the full charts — never instead of them. A 30/36 with a difficult 7th house can be harder than a 22/36 with strong, supportive charts.
Match two charts free
The fastest way to see all eight kootas — with the score, the verdict, every dosha and the Mangal-dosha check for both partners — is to run the two birth details through the free tool below. It uses Swiss-Ephemeris Moon positions, so the nakshatras (and therefore the gunas) are accurate.
FAQ
What is a good score in 36 guna matching?
18 out of 36 is the traditional minimum for a viable match. 25 and above is considered a very good match, and 33–36 is excellent. Below 18, classical texts advise caution — but the total should always be read alongside the full charts and any doshas.
What are the 8 kootas in kundli matching?
They are Varna (1 point), Vashya (2), Tara (3), Yoni (4), Graha Maitri (5), Gana (6), Bhakoot (7) and Nadi (8) — together totalling 36 gunas. Each measures a different dimension of compatibility, from ego and attraction to temperament, emotional harmony and health.
What is Nadi dosha?
Nadi dosha occurs when both partners share the same Ayurvedic nadi (Adi, Madhya or Antya), scoring zero on the most heavily weighted koota (8 points). It is the most serious of the matching doshas, traditionally associated with health and childbearing, though it can be cancelled by other chart factors.
Is a high guna score enough for marriage?
No. Guna Milan is calculated only from the Moon, so it can't see the 7th house, Venus and Jupiter, Mangal dosha, or the couple's dashas. A high score with serious doshas or weak marriage indicators in the full chart can be less favourable than a moderate score with strong charts. Use the score as one input, not the verdict.
Does 36 guna matching use the Sun sign or the Moon sign?
The Moon. The entire Ashtakoota calculation is based on each partner's Moon sign and Moon nakshatra at birth — which is why an accurate birth time, giving the correct Moon position, matters.