Guna milan
Ashtakuta matching scores eight factors, or koots, out of a combined thirty-six points. Each koot compares one attribute of the two Moon positions: varna, vashya, tara, yoni, graha maitri, gana, bhakoot and nadi. The koots are weighted unequally, with nadi worth eight points and varna worth one.
Reading the total
Above thirty-two is exceptional and uncommon. Twenty-five and above is considered very good, and eighteen is the conventional threshold for an acceptable match. Below eighteen the classical texts advise examining the charts properly rather than relying on the score.
What the score leaves out
Guna milan compares Moon positions and nothing else. It does not consider the seventh house or its lord, mangal dosha, the strength of Venus and Jupiter, or the dashas either person is running — all of which a careful astrologer weighs before the total. A high score is encouraging; it is not a complete reading.
Common questions
How many gunas are needed for marriage?
Eighteen out of thirty-six is the conventional minimum, twenty-five and above is considered very good, and above thirty-two is rare.
Is guna milan enough on its own?
No. It compares Moon positions only. Mangal dosha, the seventh house and its lord, the strength of Venus and Jupiter, and the dashas both people are running all matter and are not part of the score.
What is nadi dosha?
Nadi is the most heavily weighted koot at eight points. When both people share the same nadi it scores zero, which is why an otherwise good match can fall well short of the usual threshold.