Kundli Milan Guide — 36 Gunas, Nadi and Bhakoot Dosha Explained
कुंडली मिलान गाइड — 36 गुण, नाड़ी और भकूट दोष
Kundli milan (horoscope matching) in North India uses the Ashtakoota system: eight factors (kootas), mostly based on the Moon's nakshatra and sign of the two partners, with a total of 36 gunas.
Try the free 36 gun milan calculator with both partners' birth details.
The 8 kootas and their points
| Koota | What it checks | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Varna | Temperament and spiritual compatibility | 1 |
| Vashya | Mutual attraction and influence | 2 |
| Tara | Birth-star compatibility and well-being | 3 |
| Yoni | Physical and intimate compatibility | 4 |
| Graha Maitri | Friendship of the Moon-sign lords | 5 |
| Gana | Nature: Deva, Manushya or Rakshasa | 6 |
| Bhakoot | Relative position of the Moon signs | 7 |
| Nadi | Constitution and health of progeny | 8 |
What score is good?
Traditionally 18 or more out of 36 is considered acceptable, 25+ good and 32+ excellent. But the score is only the starting point.
Nadi dosha
Every nakshatra belongs to one of three Nadis — Adi, Madhya or Antya. If both partners have the same Nadi, Nadi koota gives 0 points and Nadi dosha is said to arise. Classical exceptions exist, for example when both have the same nakshatra but different padas, or the same Moon sign with different nakshatras.
Bhakoot dosha
Bhakoot dosha arises when the two Moon signs are in a 6–8, 9–5 or 2–12 relationship. It is cancelled in several situations, for example when the lords of both Moon signs are the same planet or are friends.
Why the full chart matters
Ashtakoota looks mainly at the Moon. A good astrologer also reads both 7th houses, Venus and Jupiter, the Navamsa (D-9), Manglik dosha and the dasha periods. A 30-guna match with a weak 7th house can be harder than a 20-guna match with strong marriage houses. In South India a different system, Dashakoota (10 poruthams), is commonly used.
Get both charts read in our marriage astrology and kundli milan consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Published by Astroinvincible · Updated 2026-10-30. Astrology is traditional guidance, not a guarantee.