Kundali Milan Decoded: Why 36 Gunas Don’t Guarantee a Happy Marriage
By Bavishyavani Team | Matchmaking Division
Updated: December 20, 2025 | Reading Time: 20 Minutes
“Yogeshawar ji, our Gun Milan score is 32 out of 36. We are perfect soulmates, right?”
Yogeshwar – “Wrong”.
One of the biggest tragedies in Indian marriages is relying only on the automated “Gun Milan” score. We have seen couples with a score of 34/36 end up in divorce courts within a year. We have also seen couples with a seemingly “incompatible” score of 14/36 celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
Why does this happen? Because Gun Milan (Ashtakoot) is only 10% of the picture.
It checks the Moon’s compatibility (Mind), but it ignores the Soul (Sun), the Ego (Mars), and the Karma (Saturn). Relying on a free online calculator for your life partner is like buying a house just because the paint color is nice.
In this eye-opening guide, we expose the limitations of the “36 Points System” and reveal the 5 Hidden Factors that actually determine if your marriage will last.
Part 1: The Basics – What is Gun Milan? (The 36 Points)
The traditional Ashtakoot Milan checks 8 categories of compatibility based on the Moon Sign and Nakshatra. Total points = 36.
| Category (Koot) | Points | What it Checks |
| 1. Varna | 1 | Work compatibility & Ego. |
| 2. Vashya | 2 | Power dynamics (Who dominates whom). |
| 3. Tara | 3 | Destiny & Luck factor. |
| 4. Yoni | 4 | Sexual Compatibility & Intimacy. |
| 5. Graha Maitri | 5 | Mental Friendship & Psychological bond. |
| 6. Gana | 6 | Temperament (Human vs. Demon vs. God). |
| 7. Bhakoot | 7 | Emotional health & Family growth. |
| 8. Nadi | 8 | Genetics, Health & Childbirth. |
The Passing Score: Traditionally, 18/36 is considered the passing mark. Anything above 25 is considered “Good.”
Part 2: The “Calculator Trap” (Why High Scores Fail)
You might have a score of 30/36, but the marriage breaks. Why? Because Gun Milan misses these critical “Deal-Breakers”:
1. Mangal Dosh (Mars Alignment)
Gun Milan does not check Mars. You could have a perfect score of 36, but if the boy is a strong Manglik and the girl is not, the physical aggression and ego clashes can destroy the marriage.
2. The 7th House (The House of Marriage)
Gun Milan checks the Moon (Mind). But the 7th House checks the Partner.
Example: If the girl has Rahu or Ketu in her 7th House, she is destined to have an unconventional or difficult marriage, regardless of the score.
3. Venus and Jupiter (The Love Planets)
For a man, Venus determines wife quality. For a woman, Jupiter determines husband quality. If these planets are weak or afflicted (e.g., Venus with Saturn), the person will feel “unloved” even in a matching marriage.
4. Dasha Sandhi (Timing is Everything)
Imagine a perfect car (High Score) trying to drive during a hurricane.
If both partners are running a “Bad Dasha” (e.g., Rahu Mahadasha) at the same time, the external stress (job loss, health issues) will break the relationship. A good astrologer checks the timeline, not just the score.
Part 3: The “Scary” Doshas Explained
When you use a calculator, you often see red warnings like “Nadi Dosh Present” or “Bhakoot Dosh Present.” Do you need to cancel the wedding?
1. Nadi Dosh (8 Points Lost)
The Fear: It causes health issues or birth defects in children.
The Reality: Nadi represents Ayurveda body type (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). If both partners have the same Nadi (e.g., Adi Nadi), their genes are too similar.
Cancellation: Nadi Dosh is cancelled if:
- Both have the same Rashi but different Nakshatras.
- Both have the same Nakshatra but different Padas (Quarters).
Don’t reject a proposal solely on this; check for cancellation.
2. Bhakoot Dosh (7 Points Lost)
The Fear: It causes financial ruin or death.
The Reality: It happens when Moon signs are in 6-8 (Shadashtak) or 2-12 positions. It indicates emotional disconnect. One person wants to party (Leo), the other wants to sleep (Pisces). It requires counseling, not cancellation.
Part 4: Love Marriage vs. Gun Milan
“We love each other, but our score is only 12/36. Should we break up?”
Absolutely not.
Gun Milan is designed for Arranged Marriages where two strangers meet. It calculates if they can become friends.
In a Love Marriage, you have already passed the “Graha Maitri” (Friendship) and “Yoni” (Attraction) tests in real life. You don’t need a calculator to tell you if you like each other.
For Love Marriages, check the 7th House and Mars/Venus placement instead of Gun Milan points.
Deep Dive: The 8 Pillars of Compatibility (Ashtakoot Decoded)
Most people just look at the total score. But to truly understand your relationship, you must look at the breakdown. Each of the 8 categories (Kootas) governs a specific layer of your marriage—from your ego to your DNA.
Here is the detailed breakdown of what each Koot actually checks in the modern world:
1. Varna (1 Point): The Ego & Career Match
What it checks: Spiritual evolution and Ego level.
Modern Context: In ancient times, this checked caste. Today, it checks Career Compatibility.
If the girl has a higher Varna than the boy, she might be more ambitious or spiritually mature than him. In a patriarchal society, this caused friction. In today’s world, a “Varna Mismatch” simply means the couple needs to respect each other’s career goals. If you both are ambitious (e.g., Kshatriya Varna), you are a power couple.
2. Vashya (2 Points): The Power Dynamics
What it checks: Who controls whom? (Dominance).
The Logic: Signs are classified as Human (Manav), Wild Animal (Vanachar), Water Animal (Jalachar), etc.
Example: If one partner is a “Lion” (Leo) and the other is a “Human” (Virgo), the Lion naturally dominates. If Vashya score is 0, it means a constant power struggle—neither is willing to listen to the other. A score of 2 means a natural flow of leadership exists.
3. Tara (3 Points): The Luck Factor
What it checks: Is your partner your lucky charm?
The Logic: It counts the distance between your birth stars (Nakshatras).
If you have a high Tara score, your partner brings “Lady Luck” into your life. You get promoted after marriage, or your health improves. If the score is 0, the partner might unintentionally bring bad luck or health issues. This is purely karmic destiny.
4. Yoni (4 Points): The Bedroom Chemistry
What it checks: Sexual Compatibility & Libido.
The Importance: This is the most critical point for physical happiness.
Each Nakshatra is assigned an animal (e.g., Horse, Elephant, Serpent, Cat).
- Perfect Match: Same animal (e.g., Horse + Horse). High sexual satisfaction.
- Friendly Match: Compatible animals (e.g., Monkey + Sheep). Good intimacy.
- Enemy Match: Hostile animals (e.g., Snake + Mongoose or Tiger + Cow).
Warning: If the Yoni score is 0/4, the couple will face severe frustration in the bedroom. One might have a high drive while the other has zero interest. This often leads to extra-marital affairs.
5. Graha Maitri (5 Points): The Mental Friendship
What it checks: Psychological bonding & Daily communication.
The Logic: It checks the friendship between the Moon Sign Lords.
Example:
- Fire + Fire (Aries + Leo): Mars and Sun are friends. Excellent understanding. You laugh at the same jokes.
- Fire + Water (Aries + Cancer): Mars and Moon are friends. Good emotional bond.
- Fire + Earth (Leo + Capricorn): Sun and Saturn are enemies. Zero Graha Maitri.
The Danger Zone: If Graha Maitri is 0/5, do not marry. Even if sexual chemistry (Yoni) is high, you will hate talking to each other. You will have nothing in common intellectually.
6. Gana (6 Points): The Temperament
What it checks: Lifestyle & Values.
The 3 Categories:
- Deva (God): Spiritual, calm, forgive-and-forget type.
- Manushya (Human): Practical, ambitious, money-minded.
- Rakshasa (Demon): Intense, aggressive, intuitive, rule-breaker.
The Mismatch:
If a Deva marries a Rakshasa (Score 0/6), it is “Beauty and the Beast.” The Deva partner wants a peaceful, simple life. The Rakshasa partner wants late nights, risks, and intensity. They will constantly fight about how to live life.
Note: Rakshasa Gana is not “evil.” It just means high energy.
7. Bhakoot (7 Points): The Emotional Flow
What it checks: Emotional Health & Family Growth.
The Logic: It checks the relative position of Moon Signs.
This is the second most important factor after Nadi. (See detailed section below).
8. Nadi (8 Points): The Genetic Health
What it checks: Physiological constitution (Vata, Pitta, Kapha).
The Logic: Nature demands diversity. If two people with the same Nadi (same constitution) marry, their genetic weaknesses are amplified in their children.
Example: If both are “Adi Nadi” (Vata/Wind dominant), their children might be weak, nervous, or hyperactive. If one is Adi and the other is Madhya (Pitta/Fire), the child gets a balanced constitution.
Note: Nadi Dosh is the only Dosh that can score a straight 0/8, significantly dropping the total score.
The “Bhakoot Dosh” Nightmare: Why Emotional Distance Happens
You checked the score. It was 26/36. Great! But the Pandit ji says, “There is Bhakoot Dosh.” What does this mean?
Bhakoot Dosh happens when the Moon signs of the couple are in awkward positions relative to each other. It kills the emotional connection over time.
Type 1: Shadashtak or Shastastakam (6-8 Relationship) – The Worst Type
This happens when the signs are 6th and 8th from each other.
Example: Aries and Virgo (Virgo is 6th from Aries, Aries is 8th from Virgo).
- The 6th House Energy: Conflict, Enemies, Disease.
- The 8th House Energy: Sudden endings, Death, Secrets.
- The Result: The relationship is filled with sudden fights, misunderstandings, and “accidental” problems. One partner feels victimized (6th), and the other feels transformed/drained (8th). This is often called the “Death Bhakoot.”
Type 2: Dwirdwadash (2-12 Relationship)
This happens when signs are 2nd and 12th from each other.
Example: Aries and Taurus or Aquarius and Pisces.
- The 2nd House Energy: Money, Family.
- The 12th House Energy: Loss, Spending.
- The Result: The relationship drains the couple financially. One partner saves (2nd), and the other spends (12th). They love each other, but they constantly fight about money and savings. It is a “Financial Bhakoot.”
Type 3: Navam-Pancham (9-5 Relationship) – The Good One
This is beneficial! Signs are 5th and 9th from each other.
Example: Aries and Leo.
It indicates excellent spiritual bonding, lucky children, and mutual respect. This is not a Dosh.
Gun Milan for Second Marriages: Is it Different?
This is a question we get asked every day. “I am divorced. Should I check Gun Milan for my second marriage?”
The Golden Rule: Gun Milan becomes LESS important for second marriages.
Why?
- Maturity: Gun Milan checks basic temperament. After a divorce/breakup, you are emotionally mature. You have learned to adjust. You don’t need a “Temperament Check” (Gana) as much as you need a “Destiny Check.”
- Age Factor: Nadi Dosh (Progeny) matters less if you are past child-bearing age or don’t plan to have more children.
- Planetary Shift: For second marriages, we check the 2nd House (Family) and 9th House (Dharma) more than the 7th House. We also check the Upapada Lagna (the Arudha of the 12th house).
Verdict: For second marriages, focus on the Dasha Compatibility (Timeline) rather than the 36 points.
The “Human Factor”: What Computers Miss
Why do you need an astrologer when you have a free app? Because apps follow rules, but humans have intuition and context. Here is what we check manually:
1. The Navamsa Chart (D-9)
The Birth Chart (D-1) is the body. The Navamsa (D-9) is the fruit.
A couple might have a great D-1 match (30/36 points). But if their Navamsa charts show planets in “Debilitation” or bad aspects, the “fruit” of the marriage will be rotten. No computer checks the Navamsa Match.
2. Upapada Lagna (UL) Match
This is a secret technique from Jaimini Astrology.
The Upapada Lagna shows the “Marriage Status.” If the boy’s UL is compatible with the girl’s Lagna, the marriage will last even if the Gun Milan score is low (e.g., 14/36). This is the “Soulmate Code” that overrides the Guna score.
3. Kuja Dosh Cancellation
Computers are terrible at checking Manglik cancellation.
Example: A computer sees Mars in the 7th house and flags “High Mangal Dosh.” But a human astrologer sees that Mars is in Capricorn (Exalted). An Exalted Mars protects the marriage; it doesn’t break it. The computer scares you; the astrologer saves you.
Celebrity Case Study: Aishwarya & Abhishek
Let’s look at the famous match of Aishwarya Rai (Scorpio) and Abhishek Bachchan (Aquarius).
- Sign Relationship: Scorpio (Water) and Aquarius (Air). Technically, this is a 4-10 relationship (Square aspect). It creates friction.
- Mangal Dosh: Aishwarya is a strong Manglik. Abhishek is not (or is a mild one). By computer logic, this is a mismatch.
- The Reality: They have been married for nearly two years (at the time of writing). Why?Because their Graha Maitri is decent, and more importantly, they performed Remedies (Kumbh Vivah) to neutralize the Dosh. Also, their Jupiter positions (Wisdom) are strong, allowing them to handle the public pressure. A computer would have rejected this match; Astrology accepted it with remedies.
The Final Verdict: The 50% Rule
Treat the Gun Milan score as 50% of the decision.
- If Score is < 18: Generally avoid, unless there is a special “Upapada Match” or “Nadi Dosh Cancellation.”
- If Score is 18 – 25: Good. Check the manual factors (Mars/7th House) to confirm.
- If Score is > 25: Excellent foundation. But still check for Mangal Dosh, as high scores often blind people to Mars issues.
Remember: A high score makes the journey easier, but the destination depends on your Karma and Dasha.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the minimum score required for a happy marriage?
Ans: Theoretically, 18. But we have seen successful marriages with 14 and failed ones with 32. The “Quality” of the planets matters more than the “Quantity” of points.
Q2: Can we marry if Nadi Dosh is present?
Ans: Yes, if it is cancelled (see above) or if the couple performs the “Mahamrityunjaya Puja” before marriage. Medical consultation for genetics is also advised.
Q3: Is Gun Milan required for live-in relationships?
Ans: No. Gun Milan is for long-term progeny and family lineage. For live-in, check Venus (Romance) and Mars (Passion) compatibility.
Q4: Can we rely on matching by Name (if we don’t have birth time)?
Ans: Only as a last resort. Matching by “Calling Name” (Bolte Naam) is considered 20-30% accurate compared to matching by Birth Chart. It uses the Nakshatra associated with the first letter of your name. It is better than nothing, but it misses crucial factors like Mangal Dosh and 7th House strength, which depend entirely on birth time.
Q5: Can we marry if our score is very low (e.g., 10/36)?
Ans: In Love Marriages, yes—provided there is no Nadi Dosh and the 7th House (House of Marriage) is strong in both charts. The low score indicates you have different temperaments (e.g., one likes travel, the other likes home), but love can overcome this. In Arranged Marriages, a score below 18 is risky because you don’t have the existing emotional bond to bridge these gaps.
Q6: What if we have Nadi Dosh but are already married?
Ans: Don’t panic. Many couples survive Nadi Dosh. The primary risk is usually health or progeny.
Remedy: Chant the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra daily. Donate grains equal to your body weight (Tula Daan) once a year. Consult a doctor for genetic counseling if you are planning a baby.
Q7: Does a high Gun Milan score guarantee a baby?
Ans: No. Gun Milan checks genetic compatibility (Nadi), but it does not check fertility. You could have a 36/36 match, but if the 5th House (Progeny) in individual charts is afflicted by Rahu/Ketu, childbirth issues will persist. Individual chart analysis is mandatory for this.
Q8: Is it bad if the boy and girl have the same Rashi?
Ans: Generally, it is considered good because your mental wavelengths match (Graha Maitri is 5/5). However, you must check the Nakshatras. If you share the same Nakshatra and the same Pada (Quarter), it creates Nadi Dosh. If the Nakshatras are different, same-sign marriage is actually excellent for understanding each other.
Conclusion: Don’t Marry a Number
A marriage is between two humans, not two algorithms. While Gun Milan is a useful initial filter, it is not the final verdict.
Before saying “Yes” or “No,” get a manual horoscope analysis. Check the longevity, the temperaments (Mars), and the future timelines (Dashas). Use Astrology as a map, not a fence.
- Confused by your Nadi Dosh alert? Get a Manual Compatibility Check
- Read Next: Mangal Dosh: The Myth vs. Reality