Marriage & dosha
Kundli Matching: Ashtakoot (36 Gunas) Explained — How Many Gunas Are Enough?
By NamaJyoti editorial · Monday, 26 October 2026 · 3 min read
In short
Ashtakoot milan compares the Moon sign and birth star of two people across eight areas that add up to 36 points: Varna 1, Vashya 2, Tara 3, Yoni 4, Graha Maitri 5, Gana 6, Bhakoot 7, Nadi 8. Traditionally 18 is the minimum, 25–32 is good and 33 or more is excellent. The score is one input — not a verdict on a marriage.
The eight kootas
| Koota | Points | What it looks at |
|---|---|---|
| Varna | 1 | Spiritual compatibility and the ego dynamic, from the Moon signs |
| Vashya | 2 | Mutual attraction and who tends to lead, from the Moon signs |
| Tara | 3 | Wellbeing and fortune together, from the birth stars (nakshatras) |
| Yoni | 4 | Physical and instinctive compatibility, from each nakshatra's symbolic animal |
| Graha Maitri | 5 | Mental and friendship compatibility — whether the two Moon-sign lords are friends |
| Gana | 6 | Temperament: Deva (gentle), Manushya (balanced) or Rakshasa (intense) |
| Bhakoot | 7 | Emotional bond and family welfare, from how far apart the two Moon signs are |
| Nadi | 8 | Health and the constitution of children — Aadi, Madhya or Antya |
Total: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 = 36.
What the score means
| Score | Traditional reading |
|---|---|
| Below 18 | Not recommended on the score alone |
| 18 – 24 | Acceptable; some areas need attention |
| 25 – 32 | Good match |
| 33 – 36 | Excellent match |
Two koota doshas people worry about
Nadi dosha arises when both people have the same Nadi — it costs all 8 points and is traditionally linked to health concerns in children. Bhakoot dosha arises when the Moon signs are in a 2–12, 5–9 or 6–8 relationship, costing all 7 points. Both have well-known exceptions (for example, a Nadi dosha is commonly considered cancelled when the two share a Moon sign but have different nakshatras, or a nakshatra but different padas; and when the Moon-sign lords are friends or the same planet, a Bhakoot dosha is commonly softened). Traditions differ on the details, which is why a pandit's judgement matters.
Gana and Nadi: the two tables behind the biggest scores
| Gana | Nakshatras |
|---|---|
| Deva (gentle) | Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Shravana, Revati |
| Manushya (balanced) | Bharani, Rohini, Ardra, Purva Phalguni, Uttara Phalguni, Purva Ashadha, Uttara Ashadha, Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada |
| Rakshasa (intense) | Krittika, Ashlesha, Magha, Chitra, Vishakha, Jyeshtha, Mula, Dhanishta, Shatabhisha |
| Nadi | Nakshatras |
|---|---|
| Aadi (Vata) | Ashwini, Ardra, Punarvasu, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Jyeshtha, Mula, Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadrapada |
| Madhya (Pitta) | Bharani, Mrigashira, Pushya, Purva Phalguni, Chitra, Anuradha, Purva Ashadha, Dhanishta, Uttara Bhadrapada |
| Antya (Kapha) | Krittika, Rohini, Ashlesha, Magha, Swati, Vishakha, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, Revati |
Same Nadi for both partners is Nadi dosha. Find your nakshatra with the [nakshatra calculator](/calculators/nakshatra).
If you do not know the birth time
Ashtakoot uses the Moon sign and nakshatra, which change slowly enough that the date and place usually fix them. The Moon changes sign every 2¼ days and nakshatra roughly every day, so only a birth near a boundary needs the time. If the date puts the Moon close to a boundary, a pandit can narrow it down from other family records.
What Ashtakoot does not tell you
- Manglik status and its cancellations — checked separately (see how).
- The 7th house and its lord in each chart — the real marriage indicators.
- Dasha compatibility — whether the next several years of each person's planetary periods are supportive.
- Values, family and communication — which no chart can score.
A score is not a verdict
Many good marriages have a score in the low twenties, and a perfect 36 does not protect a marriage that lacks understanding. Use the number to start the conversation with your pandit, not to end it.
A sensible order of steps
- Get both Moon signs and nakshatras from accurate birth details.
- Run the Ashtakoot score and note any Nadi or Bhakoot dosha.
- Check Manglik status in both charts.
- Ask the pandit to look at the 7th houses and the dasha periods.
- Only then pick a muhurat date.
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Questions
- How many gunas should match for marriage?
- At least 18 out of 36 is the traditional minimum; 25 to 32 is considered good and 33 or more excellent.
- What is Nadi dosha?
- Both people having the same Nadi (Aadi, Madhya or Antya). It scores zero of 8 points and has recognised exceptions.
- Is kundli matching mandatory?
- It is a long-standing custom in many families, not a requirement of any law; its value is as one input among several.
- Does a low guna score mean we should not marry?
- Not by itself. Look at the 7th houses, dasha periods and Manglik status too, and speak with a pandit you trust.
Keep reading
Astrology is guidance, not medical, legal or financial advice. Dates and tables in this article are calculated from the sky — see how we calculate.