Guna Milan Explained
Guna milan is a traditional way of comparing two kundlis for marriage. It is also called ashtakoota, because eight kootas are counted in it.
With them are written gana, nadi, yoni and varna. These four come from the birth nakshatra and the Moon sign.
These four are used mainly in guna milan.
They are traditional names of a kind. Nobody is counted higher or lower by them.
The eight kootas
Each koota has a fixed maximum, and the eight together come to 36:
| The eight kootas | Maximum |
|---|---|
| Varna | 1 |
| Vashya | 2 |
| Tara | 3 |
| Yoni | 4 |
| Graha Maitri | 5 |
| Gana | 6 |
| Bhakoot | 7 |
| Nadi | 8 |
| Total | 36 |
Varna: A group that comes from the Moon sign. There are four traditional names, and it is used only in guna milan.
Yoni: A group that comes from the birth nakshatra. Each nakshatra is linked with the name of an animal; there are 14 names.
Gana: A group that comes from the birth nakshatra. There are three names: Deva, Manushya and Rakshasa. They are only traditional names, not an opinion of a person.
Nadi: A group that comes from the birth nakshatra. There are three names: Adi, Madhya and Antya.
Bhakoot and Nadi
The distance between the two Moon signs is one that tradition calls a Bhakoot dosha. It means no points are given for this koota — the other kootas and the full charts matter just as much.
Both have the same nadi, which tradition calls a Nadi dosha. It means no points are given here — many families live happily with this, and an astrologer reads the full charts before advising.
In some cases these two do not apply:
- When both Moon signs have the same lord, or the two lords are friends of each other, the Bhakoot dosha does not apply.
- When the Moon sign is the same but the nakshatras differ, or the nakshatra is the same but the Moon signs differ, or both are the same but the padas differ, the Nadi dosha does not apply.
Manglik
Beside the points, Bhuvaji also shows whether each is Manglik — from the lagna chart and from the Moon chart.
Both are Manglik, so by tradition each one's Mars is taken to weigh less on the other.
Mars is in its own sign or in its sign of exaltation, so this dosha does not apply.
Other traditional exceptions are not assessed here.
One birth time is unknown, so this calculation can be a little out.
One number is not the whole story
Guna Milan is only one part of the picture. Both full birth charts, and the advice of your family's astrologer, matter more than a single score.
Let the family decide calmly and with care — not by one number.
The Bhuvaji app is coming soon on the Play Store.
