Guna Milan: the 8 kootas
Ashtakoot (“eight parts”) Guna Milan compares two Moon positions across eight kootas worth 1 to 8 points, 36 in total. Bigger kootas carry more traditional weight.
| Koota | Points | What it looks at |
|---|---|---|
| Varna वर्ण | 1 | outlook, temperament and the way each person approaches work and duty |
| Vashya वश्य | 2 | mutual attraction and how naturally two people influence each other |
| Tara तारा | 3 | wellbeing and fortune together, based on the birth stars |
| Yoni योनि | 4 | physical and instinctive comfort with each other |
| Graha Maitri ग्रह मैत्री | 5 | mental wavelength and friendship, through the lords of the Moon signs |
| Gana गण | 6 | nature and behaviour (Deva, Manushya, Rakshasa) |
| Bhakoot भकूट | 7 | emotional bond, family life and shared prosperity |
| Nadi नाड़ी | 8 | health and physical constitution (Adi, Madhya, Antya) |
Doshas and their cancellation
Questions people ask
How many gunas should match for marriage?
Tradition calls 18 or more out of 36 acceptable, 25–32 good and 33+ excellent. A score is one traditional factor, not a decision. Many happy couples score low and many high-scoring couples struggle.
Is Guna Milan based on the Moon or the ascendant?
Ashtakoot Guna Milan uses only the two Moon positions (rashi and nakshatra). Manglik dosha uses Mars from the ascendant and the Moon.
Why do different apps give different scores?
Small differences come from the ayanamsa (Taramilan uses Lahiri), exact birth time and place, and which variant of the Vashya and Gana tables is used. Taramilan shows every koota so you can see exactly why.
Astrology is a traditional system of interpretation, offered here for reflection. It is not a scientifically proven way to predict events or decide relationships.