Bite-size learnings · Matching
How many gunas should match? What the 36 points measure and miss
For what each of the eight kootas measures, see the 36 gunas explained. This article is about the scores.
1. The traditional bands
| Score | Traditional reading | Share of all star pairs |
|---|---|---|
| Below 18 | Not recommended, unless the full charts say otherwise | 31% |
| 18–24½ | Acceptable; look at the individual kootas | 38% |
| 25–32 | Good | 29% |
| Above 32 | Excellent | 1.4% |
2. Why the doshas matter more than the total
- Nadi dosha (both partners with the same nadi, scoring 0 of 8) occurs in exactly one pair in three.
- Bhakoot dosha (Moon signs 2/12, 5/9 or 6/8 apart, scoring 0 of 7) occurs in one pair in two.
- So 55% of pairs that pass 18 still carry one of these doshas.
The texts that teach these doshas also list cancellations, such as both Moon signs sharing a lord, or the same nakshatra in different padas. A good reading lists the dosha and its cancellations instead of adding them silently to the total.
3. Is 22 good? Is 36 perfect?
22 is in the acceptable band, close to the average: look at which kootas scored zero. A 36 is rare (0.07% of pairs), but it is not a guarantee: it still compares only the two Moons. And a high score with a nadi dosha is weaker than a lower score without one.
A boy with the Moon in Rohini, pada 4 (Taurus) and a girl with the Moon in Shatabhisha, pada 1 (Aquarius) score 26½: varna 1, vashya 1, tara 1½, yoni 3, graha maitri 5, gana 0 (manushya and rakshasa), bhakoot 7 (4/10 signs) and nadi 8. A “good” score with no nadi or bhakoot dosha; the zero in gana is the point to discuss.
4. What the score misses
Guna milan compares only the two Moons. It does not look at the 7th house, its lord, Venus, the navamsa, the dashas you will live through together, or manglik dosha. It is a first filter, not a verdict.
Match two chartsEnter both birth details for all eight kootas, nadi and bhakoot dosha with their cancellations, and manglik checks for both.
Match the kundlisGo deeper
- The 36 gunas explained: each koota
- Moon sign compatibility: all 144 pairs
- Manglik dosha
- What is my nakshatra?
Frequently asked questions
How many gunas should match for marriage?
Tradition sets 18 of 36 as the minimum, 25 or more as good and above 32 as excellent. Nadi and bhakoot doshas are weighed separately.
Is 22 out of 36 good?
It is acceptable and close to the average of 20.7. Check which kootas scored zero and whether there is a nadi or bhakoot dosha.
Is 36 out of 36 good or bad?
Good, and rare (well under 1% of pairs), but not a guarantee: it compares only the two Moons, so look at the full charts too.
What is nadi dosha?
Both partners in the same nadi, scoring 0 of 8. It occurs in one pair in three and has classical cancellations.
Can a marriage work below 18 gunas?
Many do. The score is a first filter; the full charts and the couple matter more.