Marriage is one of the most sacred bonds in life, and in Vedic Astrology, compatibility between partners is carefully assessed before tying the knot. This process is known as Gun Milan or Ashtakoot Milan. It is an integral part of Kundali Milan (Horoscope Matching) and has been practiced for centuries to ensure harmony, stability, and happiness in married life.
What is Gun Milan?
Gun Milan is the process of matching the horoscopes of the prospective bride and groom based on the position of the Moon in their birth charts. The Moon is considered the significator of mind and emotions, which are vital for marital harmony.
The system is called Ashtakoot because it evaluates 8 different aspects (Kootas) of compatibility. Each Koota is assigned certain points (Gunas), and the maximum score is 36 Gunas.
The 8 Kootas in Ashtakoot Milan
| Koota | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Varna | 1 |
|
| Vashya | 2 |
|
| Tara | 3 |
|
| Yoni | 4 |
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| Graha Maitri | 5 |
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| Gana | 6 |
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| Bhakoot | 7 |
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| Nadi | 8 |
|
Scoring in Gun Milan
- Maximum Score: 36 points
- Minimum Required: 18 points for an acceptable match
- 25–32 Points: Very good match
- 33–36 Points: Excellent compatibility
- Less than 18: Generally indicates incompatibility, unless other strong chart factors support the match.
Beyond Gun Milan – Complete Marriage Matching
While Gun Milan provides a foundation, Vedic astrologers also examine:
- Manglik Dosha (Mangal Dosha): Mars’ placement affecting marital happiness.
- Seventh House & Venus: Indicators of spouse and marital harmony.
- Navamsha (D9 chart): Strength of marriage and long-term relationship.
- Dashas (planetary periods): Timing of marriage and compatibility during marital life.
Remedies for Mismatched Gunas
If Gun Milan score is low or Nadi Dosha/Bhakoot Dosha is found, the following remedies can help:
- Chanting mantras of weak or afflicted planets.
- Performing specific pujas like Nadi Dosha Nivaran Puja or Mangal Dosh Shanti.
- Charity and donations related to afflicted planetary energies.
- Marrying after performing rituals to strengthen benefic planetary influences.
Conclusion
Gun Milan is a time-tested system that helps couples enter marriage with clarity and awareness. While it offers a reliable measure of compatibility, it should not be the sole deciding factor. A complete horoscope analysis — including dashas, planetary placements, and the Navamsha chart — provides a holistic view of marital life.
Ultimately, marriage thrives not just on astrological compatibility, but also on love, trust, respect, and conscious effort by both partners. Astrology simply ensures that the foundation is strong for a beautiful lifelong bond.
