Guna milan - "kundli matching" - is the 36-point compatibility check used for arranged marriages in North, West and Central India. Every point comes from the Moon: its sign (rashi) and its star (nakshatra) at each person's birth. Here is what each of the eight kootas measures and how it's scored.
| Koota | Max | Based on | What it reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varna | 1 | Moon sign | Spiritual outlook, ego |
| Vashya | 2 | Moon sign | Mutual attraction and influence |
| Tara | 3 | Nakshatra | Well-being, fortune |
| Yoni | 4 | Nakshatra | Physical and intimate compatibility |
| Graha Maitri | 5 | Moon-sign lords | Mental wavelength, friendship |
| Gana | 6 | Nakshatra | Temperament |
| Bhakoot | 7 | Moon signs' distance | Family welfare, finances, children |
| Nadi | 8 | Nakshatra | Health and progeny |
1. Varna (1 point)
Each Moon sign has a varna: Brahmin (Karka, Vrishchika, Meena), Kshatriya (Mesha, Simha, Dhanu), Vaishya (Vrishabha, Kanya, Makara) and Shudra (Mithuna, Tula, Kumbha). Traditionally 1 point if the groom's varna is equal to or higher than the bride's. It's the least weighted koota; modern astrologers read it as temperament, not caste.
2. Vashya (2 points)
Signs are grouped as human (Manava), quadruped (Chatushpada), water (Jalachara), wild (Vanachara - Simha) and insect (Keeta - Vrishchika); Dhanu and Makara are split by half. Same group scores 2; compatible groups 1 or 0.5; hostile groups 0.
3. Tara (3 points)
Count from the bride's nakshatra to the groom's and divide by 9; do the same the other way. Remainders 3, 5 and 7 (Vipat, Pratyari, Vadha) are unfavourable. Each favourable direction gives 1.5 points.
4. Yoni (4 points)
Each nakshatra has an animal yoni - horse, elephant, sheep, serpent, dog, cat, rat, cow, buffalo, tiger, deer, monkey, mongoose, lion. Same yoni scores 4; friendly 3; neutral 2; unfriendly 1; sworn enemies (cat-rat, horse-buffalo, cow-tiger, dog-deer, serpent-mongoose, sheep-monkey, elephant-lion) 0.
5. Graha Maitri (5 points)
The friendship of the two Moon signs' lords (Mars, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Sun, Jupiter, Saturn). Same lord or mutual friends 5; friend and neutral 4; both neutral 3; friend and enemy 1; neutral and enemy 0.5; mutual enemies 0. This is the best single indicator of how naturally two people think alike.
6. Gana (6 points)
Every nakshatra is Deva (gentle), Manushya (human) or Rakshasa (intense). Same gana 6; Deva-Manushya 5-6; Deva-Rakshasa about 1; Manushya-Rakshasa 0. Tables vary slightly between traditions.
7. Bhakoot (7 points)
How far apart the two Moon signs are. 1/1, 1/7, 3/11 and 4/10 positions score 7. 2/12, 5/9 and 6/8 score 0 - Bhakoot dosha. It is traditionally cancelled when the two sign lords are the same or friends.
8. Nadi (8 points)
Every nakshatra is Adi, Madhya or Antya nadi. Different nadis score 8; the same nadi scores 0 - Nadi dosha, the most discussed dosha. It is traditionally cancelled for same rashi with different nakshatras, same nakshatra with different rashis, or same nakshatra in different padas. See the Nadi dosha guide.
Reading the total
18+ is acceptable, 25+ very good, 33+ excellent - but a total with an uncancelled Nadi or Bhakoot dosha needs a closer look, and a modest total with strong Graha Maitri and Bhakoot can be very workable. Try the free calculator with both birth details to see all eight.