INTRODUCTION
Ashtakoot Matching is a traditional method in Vedic astrology used for evaluating the compatibility of a couple, primarily for marriage. The system assesses eight key aspects or “koots” between birth chart of the bride and groom, each of which relates to a different dimension of compatibility — from emotional and mental harmony to physical attraction and karmic balance.
FACTORS IN ASHTAKOOT MATCHING
Varna (Varna Koot)
Purpose: This koot examines the compatibility of the basic nature of the individuals involved in the marriage. It is based on the position of the Moon in birth chart and assigns the individual to a particular varna, which is related to their spiritual and mental qualities.
There are four types of Varnas:
Brahmin (spiritual/intellectual)
Kshatriya (warrior, protector)
Vaishya (businessperson, merchant)
Shudra (labourer, service-oriented)
Scoring: The ideal match occurs when the groom has a higher or equal varna to the bride’s. A mismatch in varna can cause disharmony due to differences in spiritual or intellectual compatibility.
Points: 1 point for a favourable varna match.
Vashya (Vashya Koot)
Purpose: This koot focuses on the relationship dynamics in terms of control, attraction, and mutual respect. It evaluates how much one partner will dominate or be dominated by the other.
Categories: Each zodiac sign has an associated Vashya, which describes whether the person with that sign is likely to lead, follow, or be neutral in the relationship.
Some signs are considered naturally more dominant (like Aries), while others are considered more yielding or submissive (like Taurus).
Scoring: The couple’s Vashya categories should ideally match, with one partner being dominant (or neutral) and the other being receptive.
Points: 2 points for a good Vashya match.
Tara (Tara Koot)
Purpose: Tara evaluates the compatibility based on the moon constellations or nakshatras in which Moon of the two individuals is placed.
Details:
Each individual’s Moon is placed in one of the 27 nakshatras, and each nakshatra has a specific number of Tara points. The compatibility depends on how these nakshatras relate to one another in terms of Tara.
This koot is based on the distance between the two individuals’ nakshatras and the relationship between them (whether they are auspicious or inauspicious).
Scoring:
The closer the Tara points, the better the match. Tara also influences aspects of the emotional connection and mutual understanding.
Points: 3 points for compatibility based on the distance between the nakshatras.
Yoni (Yoni Koot)
Purpose: This koot measures physical and sexual compatibility. The Yoni is symbolized by animals assigned to the 12 zodiac signs.
Details: The Yoni reflects the natural physical energy and sensual compatibility between the partners. For example, some signs represent more sensual or passionate energies (like Leo or Scorpio), while others are more reserved.
The compatibility between their animal signs (Yonies) is analysed to gauge how sexually and physically compatible the partners will be.
Scoring:
Ideally, the Yoni of both individuals should be compatible and in harmony, which influences their attraction and physical bond.
Points: 4 points for good Yoni compatibility.
Graha Maitri (Graha Maitri Koot)
Purpose: Graha Maitri evaluates the emotional and mental compatibility based on the relationship between the Moon signs and their planetary rulers.
Details: The relationship between the ruling planets of the Moon signs plays a key role in mental and emotional harmony. If the ruling planets are friends to each other, the relationship will be emotionally fulfilling.
This koot is based on the friendship or enmity between the ruling planets of both charts.
Scoring: The better the planetary relationships, the more harmonious the emotional connection.
Points: 5 points for strong emotional and mental compatibility.
Gana (Gana Koot)
Purpose: Gana evaluates the nature and temperament of the individuals. It is based on the placement of the Moon in the lunar nakshatras, which are categorized into three types: Deva (divine), Manushya (human), and Rakshasa (demonic).
Types:
Deva Gana: Individuals with gentle and balanced temperaments.
Manushya Gana: Individuals with practical and balanced temperaments.
Rakshasa Gana: Individuals with intense and sometimes aggressive or selfish tendencies.
Compatibility: Ideally, both individuals should belong to Deva or Manushya Gananas for a peaceful and harmonious relationship. A Deva-Rakshasa combination could lead to difficulties due to differences in temperament.
Scoring: Points are awarded based on the Gana compatibility between the individuals.
Points: 6 points for a favourable Gana match.
Rashi (Rashi Koot)
Purpose: Rashi koot evaluates the compatibility of the Moon signs (Rashis) between the partners. It looks at the inherent nature of the Moon in each Rashi and assesses how well they harmonize.
Details: The twelve zodiac signs are divided into groups based on their compatibility. Some signs are considered naturally more compatible than others due to their inherent characteristics.
For instance, Earth signs (like Taurus and Virgo) generally harmonize well with Water signs (like Cancer and Pisces), while Air and Fire signs (like Gemini and Aries) also have natural affinity.
Scoring: Points are given based on the relationship between the couple’s Rashis.
Points: 7 points for good Rashi compatibility.
Nadi (Nadi Koot)
Purpose: Nadi Koot is the most crucial factor in Ashtakoot matching. It evaluates the compatibility in terms of health, progeny (children), and longevity of the relationship.
Details:
The Nadi koot is based on the position of the Moon in one of the three Nadis: Aadi, Madhya, or Antya.
Aadi Nadi: Represents the beginning or first stage of life, associated with creative energy.
Madhya Nadi: Represents the middle stage of life, focusing on growth and sustenance.
Antya Nadi: Represents the end stage of life, associated with wisdom and completion.
Compatibility: It is considered highly inauspicious if both individuals share the same Nadi (e.g., both having Aadi Nadi), as it can lead to infertility, health issues, or short-lived marriages. Ideally, individuals with different Nadis should marry.
Scoring: If the Nadi is compatible, 8 points are awarded. If not, remedies are suggested, or the match may be reconsidered.
TOTAL SCORING AND INTERPRETATION
36 Points Maximum: The maximum possible score in Ashtakoot matching is 36 points, with each koot contributing a certain number of points based on compatibility.
18 Points or More: A match with 18 or more points is considered favourable and auspicious for marriage, indicating compatibility and harmony across various aspects of life.
Below 18 Points: If the score is below 18, it suggests potential challenges in the relationship. In such cases, astrological remedies (like pujas, mantras, or gem therapy) are often recommended to alleviate possible issues.
Critical Mismatches: If there are significant mismatches, especially in the Nadi Koot, this may lead to serious issues like health problems, infertility, or short life span. Remedies may include rituals, charities, or reconsidering the match.
LAL KITAB REMEDIES
Varn (Varna Koot)
Varn Dosha Remedies:
Feeding Brahmins: To mitigate Varn dosha, the couple is advised to donate food or perform rituals with Brahmins, as they represent spiritual knowledge and intellectual harmony.
Charity Related to Varn: Donating books, education materials, or anything related to spiritual growth can help counteract negative effects.
Performing Fasts or Rituals: Fasting on specific days or performing puja (prayer rituals) to planetary deities can also help resolve Varn-related conflicts.
Varnshuddhi: This is a purification ritual where the couple may perform specific Havan (fire rituals) or charitable deeds to purify the energy between them.
Vashya (Vashya Koot)
Vashya Dosha Remedies:
Balancing Power Dynamics: To remove a Vashya dosha, the couple is advised to practice equality in their relationship, where both partners should share responsibilities and decisions equally.
Charity: Donating to humanitarian causes, like providing for the poor or feeding the needy, is suggested to reduce the malefic effects of Vashya dosha.
Performing Joint Spiritual Practices: The couple can perform meditations, yajnas, or prayers together to build harmony in the relationship.
Maintaining Equal Partnership: Avoiding any form of emotional or physical domination by either partner is key to removing Vashya dosha.
Tara (Tara Koot)
Tara Dosha Remedies:
Moon-Related Remedies: To improve emotional compatibility, the couple should offer water to the Moon on Mondays. This strengthens the Moon’s influence and helps in fostering better emotional understanding.
Chanting Moon Mantras: Reciting Moon-related mantras or performing Chandra Puja can help mitigate emotional disconnects.
Charity to Water-Related Causes: Donating water, offering food to the poor, or feeding animals can also help in balancing the emotional energies between the partners.
Yoni (Yoni Koot)
Yoni Dosha Remedies:
Animal-Related Charities: The remedy for Yoni dosha involves donating wool, animal products, or helping animal shelters. This is believed to balance the physical energies and improve sexual harmony.
Offering to Temples: Donating to temples or performing rituals connected to animal deities can also help in resolving physical imbalances.
Balanced Relationship Practices: Practicing mutual respect and having open, honest discussions regarding physical needs and expectations can help in improving compatibility in this area.
Graha Maitri (Graha Maitri Koot)
Graha Maitri Dosha Remedies:
Planetary Puja: Performing Navagraha Puja (worship of the Nine Planets) can harmonize the planetary influences and bring about better mental and emotional compatibility.
Offering to Planetary Deities: Offering milk or sweets to deities associated with the Moon or Mercury can also help alleviate this dosha.
Reciting Graha Mantras: Chanting mantras for the ruling planets of both partners, particularly the Moon, Mercury, and Venus, is considered beneficial in strengthening mental rapport.
Charity to Mental Health Causes: Donating to institutions that help people with mental health issues is considered a way to pacify Graha Maitri dosha.
Gana (Gana Koot)
Gana Dosha Remedies:
Fire Rituals (Homa): The key remedy for Gana dosha is performing Homa or Yajna (fire rituals), which help pacify any anger or emotional imbalance.
Offering to Fire: Offering ghee (clarified butter) or sesame seeds to the sacred fire can also alleviate negative emotional energy between the couple.
Charity to Sacred Fires: Donating ghee or wheat at religious places or to fire-related deities can help resolve Gana-related issues.
Rashi (Rashi Koot)
Rashi Dosha Remedies:
Feeding Brahmins: Donating food (especially sweets or grains) to Brahmins is a common remedy for Rashi dosha.
Moon-related Remedies: Offering water to the Moon on Mondays is a remedy that helps align emotional energies, especially when there’s a Rashi dosha.
Charitable Deeds: The couple may also engage in donating clothes, books, or food to help mitigate the effects of incompatible Moon signs.
Reciting Mantras for Rashi: Specific mantras dedicated to the deities of the respective Rashis may also be recited.
Nadi (Nadi Koot)
Nadi Dosha Remedies:
Pilgrimage: Visiting sacred places such as Haridwar or Varanasi, and performing specific pujas, is recommended for Nadi dosha.
Nadi Mantras: Chanting specific Nadi mantras or performing Puja dedicated to fertility gods is highly recommended to alleviate Nadi-related issues.
Charity for Children: Donating baby items, milk, or contributing to child welfare organizations can help alleviate Nadi dosha.
Performing Pujas: Nadi dosha can be removed by performing pujas for Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva, particularly those that are related to long life and progeny.
CONCLUSION
The Ashtakoot system, when used alongside other methods of analysis (such as Dasha periods or the Navamsa Chart), offers a holistic approach to understanding the astrological dynamics of a marriage. Lal Kitab remedies for Ashtakoot matching focus on simple, yet powerful actions that can help mitigate doshas and bring about harmony in the relationship. The focus is on practical steps that can correct the karmic influences associated with the doshas seen in the Ashtakoot, ultimately promoting a healthy, harmonious, and prosperous relationship.