Vedic astrology reference

Guna milan explained: the 8 koots and 36 points

Guna milan, also called Ashtakoot milan or kundli matching, is the traditional Vedic method of comparing two people's birth charts before marriage. It scores eight factors, called koots, using each person's moon sign (rashi) and birth nakshatra. The points add up to a maximum of 36.

The eight koots

The eight koots of Ashtakoot guna milan and their maximum points
#	Koot	Max points	Based on	What the tradition says it compares
1	Varna	1	Moon sign	Groups the moon signs into four classes named after the traditional social orders. The categories reflect the social ideas of the period in which the texts were written; many present-day practitioners read this koot loosely as a match of temperament or outlook.
2	Vashya	2	Moon sign	Groups the signs by the kind of creature their symbols show (for example quadruped, human, water creature, insect) and asks whether one sign is traditionally "drawn to" the other. It is described as a measure of mutual influence.
3	Tara	3	Birth nakshatra	Counts the nakshatras from one person's birth star to the other's, in both directions, and checks the count against a cycle of nine taras, some of which the tradition treats as auspicious and some not.
4	Yoni	4	Birth nakshatra	Assigns each nakshatra an animal symbol (fourteen animals in all) and scores the pair from friendly to hostile. It is traditionally linked with physical and instinctive compatibility.
5	Graha Maitri	5	Lords of the moon signs	Compares the ruling planets of the two moon signs using the classical table of planetary friendship, enmity and neutrality. It is described as a measure of mental and intellectual rapport.
6	Gana	6	Birth nakshatra	Places each nakshatra in one of three temperaments: Deva (divine), Manushya (human) or Rakshasa (fierce). Same-gana pairs score highest in the tradition.
7	Bhakoot	7	Moon sign	Looks at how far apart the two moon signs are. Pairs that are 1/1, 3/11, 4/10 or 7/7 from each other receive all 7 points; pairs that are 2/12, 5/9 or 6/8 receive none, which is called Bhakoot dosha. Some texts describe conditions that cancel the dosha, such as both signs having the same lord.
8	Nadi	8	Birth nakshatra	Places each nakshatra in one of three nadis: Adi, Madhya or Antya. Different nadis receive all 8 points; the same nadi receives none, which is called Nadi dosha. Texts and practitioners describe exceptions that can cancel it; these vary between traditions.
	Total	36	The maximum possible score.

The points rise from 1 to 8 in the traditional order, so the later koots, Bhakoot and Nadi, carry the most weight. Detailed scoring tables differ slightly between texts and software.

How scores are usually read

By common convention, a total of 18 out of 36 is treated as the minimum for a match to be considered, and higher totals are described as more favourable. Bands such as 18–24 "average", 25–32 "good" and 33–36 "very good" are often quoted, but the wording and cut-offs vary between sources.

Practitioners also look beyond the total. Nadi dosha and Bhakoot dosha (zero points in those koots) are often discussed on their own, and many astrologers consider other chart factors, such as Mangal dosha, alongside the score.

What a score does not tell you

Guna milan is a cultural practice. There is no scientific evidence that its scores predict whether a marriage will be happy or last, and a score should not decide a marriage. Decisions about marriage belong to the people involved and should rest on knowing each other, shared values and free consent.

AstroConnect's matching tool is not available yet. If you use another provider's calculator, remember that it needs both people's exact birth times and places, and that different software can give slightly different scores.

Frequently asked questions

What is guna milan?

Guna milan (also called Ashtakoot milan or kundli matching) is a traditional Vedic method of comparing two people's birth charts before marriage. It scores eight factors, the koots, for a maximum of 36 points, using both people's moon signs and birth nakshatras.

What is a good guna milan score?

By common convention, 18 of 36 points is treated as the minimum for a match to be considered, and higher scores are described as more favourable. These thresholds are a cultural convention. The score does not measure, and cannot predict, how a relationship or marriage will go.

What is Nadi dosha?

Nadi dosha is the traditional name for a pair whose birth nakshatras fall in the same nadi, which scores 0 of the 8 Nadi points. Texts and practitioners describe exceptions that can cancel it. It is a feature of the scoring system, not a medical or genetic finding.

Can guna milan predict whether a marriage will work?

No. There is no scientific evidence that guna milan scores predict marriage outcomes. Many families use the practice as one cultural input among many. Decisions about marriage belong to the people involved, and should rest on knowing each other, shared values and consent.