The eight kootas
Varna (1 point) is the match of temperament. Vashya (2) is mutual attraction and influence. Tara (3) is the harmony of the two birth stars. Yoni (4) is natural compatibility. Graha Maitri (5) is the friendship of the two Moon sign lords. Gana (6) is the match of nature, divided into Deva, Manushya and Rakshasa. Bhakoot (7) is the relationship of the two Moon signs. Nadi (8) is the health and constitution match.
Notice that the last three carry the most points. The score is weighted towards Nadi, Bhakoot and Gana.
What the total means
Under 18 is traditionally read as not recommended, 18 to 24 as acceptable, 25 to 32 as good and 33 and above as excellent. These bands are conventions and some regions draw them slightly differently.
The score only looks at two Moon positions. It says nothing about the rest of the two charts, and nothing about the people.
Nadi dosha and Bhakoot dosha
Nadi dosha is when both people fall in the same nadi, which scores 0 of 8 points. Families treat it with the most caution of all, because the nadi is linked with health and children. Bhakoot dosha is when the Moon signs stand in certain unfriendly positions to each other, such as 2 and 12 or 6 and 8 apart, scoring 0 of 7.
Both have commonly listed cancelling conditions, such as the two people sharing the same Moon sign lord. These vary by lineage, so a family astrologer's view is worth having.
How to use it well
Run the Guna Milan, note any dosha flagged, then check Mangal dosha on both charts and look at the Lagna and the current dasha of each person. The AnkShakti Kundali Milan tool shows the points for every koota with the reason, so you can see exactly where marks were lost.
Use the result as one conversation topic among many. Values, family, plans and time together are not on the chart.
Try it on your own name
Common questions
- What is a good Guna Milan score?
- Traditionally 18 out of 36 is the minimum, 25 to 32 is good and above 32 is excellent.
- Is a low score a reason not to marry?
- Most families read it as a point for discussion, not a verdict. A full chart review and plain compatibility of the two people count for more.
- Does Guna Milan need the exact birth time?
- Mostly the Moon sign and nakshatra, so a few minutes' error rarely matters unless the Moon is near the end of a sign or nakshatra.
- Which Moon is used, bride's or groom's?
- Both are used. Some koota tables are not symmetric, so the order, bride then groom, matters.