Myths of 36 Guna Matching

Presently It is so deep in the psyche and genes of the People that they instinctively rely & consider that readymade software Kundali matching or Ashtakoot (36 guna) Matching method is the only finest Tool for the Marriage Alliance and nothing else. Resultantly if arrived points are above 18 out of the total 36, they prefer to proceed with the marriage without giving any serious thought. Thereby a general belief & Myth prevails that higher the points gained, more assured the happy married life would be.

Today’s so called Pandits also match the birth charts of both Boy & Girl as per this Short-cut, Fast ready-made method without going into details of exceptions to its various rules. However, it is observed that despite gaining highest marks, this ashtkoot matching does not always result in a happy married life.

Second myth is that people only ask for Mangal Dosha existence in the horoscopes to be matched, with the belief that if it is not present in both, the one with the Mangal Dosha will/may become a widow or widower, which is incorrect.

In order to break this prevalent myth and properly understand the Astrological matching concepts, one should understand how Gun Matching as per ashtakoot method / Gun Milan is prepared or arrived and what are its limitations.

Ashtakoot or Guna matching (36 guna in particular) is a method chiefly, purely & solely based on matching the birth Moon Janma Nakshatra (Moon Star/Asterism) of the Boy & with that of the Girl, on Eight (8) specified criteria. Therefore, this entire gamut is based on the Janm Moon Nakshatra of boy & girl, and its related 8 criteria or koots, which carries equal marks/points according to its serial number as under:

1. Varna – Matching of the castes based on Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya & Shudra
2. Vashya – Matching of Human, Wild Animal, Small Animal, Water animal & Insects.
3. Tara - Birth Nakshatra of Boy is counted from that of the Girl & Vice versa.
4. Yoni – Compatibility between Horse, Elephant, Sheep, Snake, Dog, Cat, Rat, Cow, Buffalo, Tiger, Hare/Deer, Monkey, Lion & Mongoose, of the boy & girl.
5. Graha Maitri – Natural friendship between Lord of Moon signs of both boy & girl.
6. Gana – Compatibility of Dev (Gods), Manav (Human) & Rakshas (Devils) of both.
7. Bhakoot – Friendship aspects between the Moon signs of both Boy & Girl.
8. Nadi – Compatibility of Vata (air), Pitta (bile) and Kapha (phlegm) types of both.

As per above chronology, the Guna Value / weightage of each koot (total 8 koots) is equal to the numeric number given to each criterion i.e. 1 to 8, total of which comes to 36 points or gunas. Over a period, a belief is developed that maximum 36 points could be achieved, which guarantees a happy, trouble free, blissful long married life. Accordingly, a suitable marriage is treated from minimum 18 marks onwards, and lesser than that, not proper for good marriage.

This system of Ashtkoot matching / Guna Milan was actually devised in the very ancient days, when most Indians were never in a position to get cast their natal Ascendant horoscope from knowledgeable brahmins, for want of finances to pay them. Thus, the learned Sages and scholars of that time devised this Ashtakoot system which was easy for a common pandit or brahmin, who keeps a close look at the current Transit of Planets & Nakshatras according to Panchang. The common people would just consult them and get to know the Nakshatra & Moon sign, their child is born in, and thereby name it, based on the letters assigned to each pad of nakshatra sign of the zodiac. So that whenever in future these general class people referred to a pandit / brahmin for Kundali matching, they could easily identify the Nakshatra and Moon sign of both boy & girl and instantly calculate the Ashtakoot/Guna matching and suggest about the marriage. However, in those ancient days, the privileged would be able to have their ascendant horoscopes cast and had the benefit of getting the horoscopes matched properly, based on the ashtakoot and the Ascendant horoscope.

As most Indians since ages, had no recourse to the Ascendant horoscope, they started believing that Ashtakoot or guna matching is the only tool to match the horoscopes and so such heavy reliance & dependability built on it from time immoral.

A few Shortcomings of Ashtkoot (36 Gun) Matching in major points are:

• For NADI (8 points) matching, combination of three type of nadis viz Aadi, Madhya & Antya signifying Vaata, Pitta & Kapha is considered, for determining attraction & progeny aspects in the couple & negate marriage between boy & girl of same Nadi. Innumerable studies reveal that any nadi combination does not restrict progeny. Other issues like 5th & 7th house, its lords, good or bad aspects, position of Jupiter & Venus, in horoscopes & current Maha & Antar dashas of both are also relevant. The ancient Seers adopted this method, bcoz. discovery of various blood groups had not taken place & medical system in India was working on Ayurvedic diagnosis of Vaata, Pitta & Kapha. Now with the progress of science, a human can have any of blood groups viz. A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ & O- and progeny is decided based on their combinations. Importantly now medical treatments are available for any such situations.
• For BHAKOOT (7points) matching, it takes counting from birth moon sign of Boy to birth Moon sign of Girl and Vice Versa. Hence, so arrived combinations of 2 & 12, 6 & 8 and 5 & 9 are treated as Bad thus No marks given. But it is not considering the Exceptions to this rule viz.
  • a. In case of Capricorn & Aquarius moon signs though combination comes to 2 & 12 but both have same sign lord “Saturn”, thus no compatibility issue.
  • b. In case of Aries & Scorpio moon signs though the combination comes to 6 & 8 but both have same sign lord “Mars”, therefore no compatibility issue.
  • c. In case of Taurus & Libra Moon signs though the combination comes to 6 & 8 but both have same sign lord “Venus”, therefore no compatibility issue.
• For GANA (6 point) matching, it considers matching between three types of gana, Dev, Manav & Rakshas and treat match between same ganas as best with full points. However, match between Rakshas & other Ganas not considered good, treating that Rakshas Gana person will have Devil qualities which is not a fair interpretation. In the present prevailing context Rakshas gana depicts a selfish person wanting & craving for materialistic pleasures & wealth, which is right in this Kalyug. There are other planetary placements in the horoscope, which may bestow similar qualities.

Further the Ashtkoot Matching (36 points) does not cover the following aspects:

• Basic personality traits of Bride & Groom based on their rising ascendants.
• Bride and Groom’s life longevity – it is important to determine the longevity of both by studying the Ascendant, its Lord, Ashtmesh, Dhanesh, their lords etc.
• Present & Future Health status & issues of Bride & Groom
• Position of 7th (spouse) House in the Bride & Groom’s birth horoscopes. And relationship of same with Lagna, Sixth house & Eight houses & its lords etc.
• Position of Mars in the horoscope of both Bride & Groom.
• Coming Vimshotri Mahadashas and their relationships on conjugal harmony.
• Planets representing Family, Finance, Pleasure, Wealth, Professional life & future achievements in both.
• Effects of forthcoming Sadhe Sati of Saturn after marriage.
• Kal sarpa yogas or other bad yogas in the horoscopes of Bride & Groom.

Thus Ascendant based horoscope matching is more important since it calculates, analyses & give a true picture of the conjugal life, harmony, Nature, Tastes, Progeny, Personality, longevity, Mangal dosha, Attractions, wealth & other traits based on all 9 Planets and all 12 (twelve) signs and their Lords, whereas Ashtakoot matching is merely based on single Planet, the “Moon” only.