Ashtakoota matching: the 8 kootas and 36 gunas explained
What each koota measures, how the score out of 36 is read, and the main doshas.
Ashtakoota (“eight aspects”), also called Guna Milan, compares the Moon's nakshatra and rasi in the bride's and groom's charts. Each of the eight kootas carries a number of points (gunas), adding up to 36.
| Koota | Points | What it compares |
|---|---|---|
| Varna | 1 | Spiritual temperament, by rasi |
| Vashya | 2 | Mutual attraction and influence, by rasi group |
| Tara | 3 | Auspiciousness of the birth stars counted from each other |
| Yoni | 4 | Physical compatibility, by the animal symbol of each nakshatra |
| Graha Maitri | 5 | Friendship between the lords of the two Moon signs |
| Gana | 6 | Temperament: Deva, Manushya or Rakshasa |
| Bhakoot | 7 | Relative position of the two Moon signs |
| Nadi | 8 | Constitution (Adi, Madhya, Antya); traditionally linked to health and children |
Reading the total
- 33–36: Ati Uttamam — excellent
- 25–32: Uttamam — good
- 18–24: Madhyamam — average; commonly treated as acceptable
- Below 18: Adhamam — not recommended
Doshas and cancellations
Three kootas carry named doshas when they score zero: Nadi dosha (same nadi), Bhakoot dosha (Moon signs 2/12, 5/9 or 6/8 from each other) and Gana dosha. Classical texts list exceptions that cancel them — for example, Bhakoot dosha is cancelled when the lords of the two Moon signs are the same planet or friends. AstroRealm shows each dosha, whether it is cancelled and why, and (following the practice of the astrologer we validated against) restores Bhakoot's points when its dosha is cancelled.
Ashtakoota is one view of compatibility. South Indian families usually also look at the Porutham system, and astrologers read both charts as a whole before advising.
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For guidance only. Please consult an astrologer before taking decisions.