Indian people lay a great emphasis on horoscope matching (or Kundali Milan). In Hinduism, Kundali Milan is a crucial step which is performed before selecting respective groom or bride. Even though people are adapting modern thinking, still there are a wide percentage of people who don’t make a commitment if GUNASare not matched. The position of different planets of a person and their effect on his and her partner’s life are checked before finalising the marriage.

According to axioms of Jyotishyam, the moon is the kaaraka for the mind (manas). The position of the moon in one’s horoscope would relate to one’s inherent qualities, nature, and behavioural response to a situation. The likes and dislikes of an individual based on moon position could be compared by the rules of astrology to gauge the compatibility of two individuals to a certain extent. Horoscope matching is done based on ashtakootas. In the increasing order of importance, these are eight factors that decide compatibility between two individuals with respect to positions of the moon in the girl’s and boy’s horoscope.

The Eight Factors that are matched to check compatibility are:

Varna – Whether the partners can be placed in compatible social groups.

Vashya – Whether the partners are dependent on each other.

Taara – Whether the partners mutually benefit each other.

Yoni – Whether the partners are sexually compatible.

Graha-Maitri – Whether the qualities/mental inclinations are mutually amicable.

Gana – Whether the partners can be grouped together or mentally compatible.

Bhakoota – Whether the partners complement each other.

Naadi – Whether the partners are physiologically compatible. It states the possibility of a child.

A very simplistic explanation of graha-maitri used for compatibility could be explained with this simple example. A boy whose moon is in Capricorn (Makara) is likely to be rational, practical, disciplined, harsh and rule-oriented in his approach towards life. He might utterly lack in expression and may hate public display of affection. On the other hand, a girl whose moon is in Leo (Simha) might probably incline towards flamboyance and may tend to constantly expect the partner to be expressive by giving gifts or anything that demands the partner’s attention to her. Owing to this contradictory behavioural patterns, from an astrological perspective, it might be told that these two individuals might lack compatibility, at least in some areas of life. This way there are many rules and exceptions in astrology to deduce compatibility based on behavioural patterns.

But it must be noted that compatibility does not alter the situations that the two individuals have to face in life. It also does not mean that two less compatible persons cannot have a successful and happy marriage. You can have a successful relationship/married life if you know how to cope with differences and gracefully accept the other individual. Two individual must have a proper understanding of each other needs, emotional behaviour.