Sun and Moon are considered as the two most important planets in Vedic astrology. Among these two; Moon is considered more important. Though Sun represents very important characteristics like confidence, intelligence, initiative and leadership abilities; Moon represents the mind. Through mind, Moon also represents emotional wellbeing and peace of mind.
No characteristic and the benefits offered by it may be worthy in the deepest sense, unless one has peace of mind. You can become a powerful king due to blessing of Sun but if you don’t have any peace at all; such kingship may not be worthy. Likewise, you may be blessed with all the achievements and pleasures in the world but without peace of mind; they may mean nothing.
The value of Moon is enhanced a lot; when it comes to relationships. Relationships are primarily run by emotions as well as feelings and both these attributes are ruled by Moon. Hence you simply may not have good relationships and sustain them; unless you’re blessed by the energy of Moon. The emotional bonds which make and sustain relationships are ruled by Moon. Since mother ranks the highest when it comes to have beautiful relationships (with her children), mother is also ruled by Moon.
The emotional bonds formed by Moon are not those based on assurances and they don’t survive on profits and losses. Moon has the ability to form one way bonds where love itself is sufficient and nothing else is required. Hence a mother may be happy in loving her children and caring for them; and she may not expect anything in return. Even if the children don’t love her back; she may still keep loving them. This is why mothers lie at the top; whenever we talk about relationships and relatives.
When it comes to a relationship like marriage, there may be no planet as important as Moon; especially in case of arranged marriages. In Vedic India; most marriages were arranged. Hence the male and female had no prior interactions with each other. In most cases; even their families didn’t have direct interactions and marriage proposals were sought through circles of friends and relatives. This system is still alive in India. Though some couples are engaging in love marriages in the present times; some couples are still engaging in arranged marriages.
When a marriage is arranged, two strangers are supposed to form a very valuable relationship; a bond which may become the most important one for the rest of their lives. Hence parents take advice from astrologers in order to find out if such relationship is going to sustain and if it is going to be meaningful. A marriage may look like a union of two people; it is a union of two minds in the deepest sense.
Let’s look at the bonds formed by navagraha in general. Sun believes in forming bonds where it has the upper edge. Hence a native under strong influence of Sun may stay married; as long as he or she is the dominant partner. Looking at Jupiter; it is not at all interested in relationships like marriage, in its purest form. To be precise; Jupiter finds the whole idea of relationships hard to digest. Jupiter is the planet of liberation and when working in its highest sense; it may disregard each and every type of relationship. Jupiter believes in connecting to the entire existence. When you connect to the entire existence, you may not commit to relationships which are exclusive.
Looking at Venus; it believes in relationships and partnerships based on mutual gains, respect, fairness and shared responsibilities. Apart from that, Venus also represents physical relationships and materialistic pleasures. Hence this planet may be suitable for marriage. However, Venus operates on mutual basis and it may get out of marriage if the other party is not fair. Hence Venus may begin playing fair and it may keep playing fair as long as the partner is also doing the same. When the partner starts playing foul; Venus may not be interested in pursuing the relationship and it may walk out. Therefore, Venus may be a good choice to bless a relationship like marriage; but it is not the best choice.
Mars can be often too impulsive, aggressive and harsh for a delicate relationship like marriage; especially during the beginning years. Hence in general, Mars is unsuitable for marriage. On the contrary, it is good at the art of breaking marriages. This is why one of the most fearsome concepts which may trouble and break marriages is formed by Mars; and it is called Manglik Dosh.
Looking at Mercury, it is all brain and intellect; with no emotions. The problem with intellect is that it wants to learn and control everything and everyone. It wants to learn more and understand more; only because it may win more often. Since relationships are not built and sustained on wins and losses; Mercury is unfit for marriage. Mars may create problems like physical aggression and impulsive behavior patterns whereas Mercury is the master at the art of mental aggression or mental torture.
Looking at Saturn; it is all about duty and discipline with no interest in enjoyment, sentiments, emotions and feelings. Hence Saturn may be a dutiful partner at the most; but it may never be a loving and caring partner. Therefore, Saturn may be taken as a reserved choice but not as a preferred choice, in case of relationships like marriage.
This leaves us with Rahu and Ketu. Both these planets may prove simply too troublesome and unpredictable to bless marriage with love, understanding and stability. Hence they may not be considered at all. In fact, Rahu and Ketu may create serious problems in relationships like marriage, in majority of cases.
This discussion leaves us with three planets; Moon, Venus and Saturn. Among them, Saturn is the last resort as it may not offer much except dutifulness. Venus looks like a good choice but it always comes with expectations for returns. This leaves us with one planet only; which is Moon. Among navagraha; Moon is the only planet except Jupiter; which is capable of forming bonds and which is capable of giving love, even when it gets nothing in return.
Jupiter represents the form of love which is even higher than that represented by Moon; but Jupiter in its purest form is unsuitable for marriage. A mother may love her children selflessly but she may not be able to do so with all other children in the world. When it comes to Jupiter; it is capable of practicing selfless love; for each and every species in the universe. Hence Jupiter may represent the highest form of love but it may become too good for a relationship like marriage; when working in its purest form.
Since Moon can build and sustain delicate relationships and it represents mind; it becomes the primary choice for marriage. Many of us may not realize but we are controlled by our minds, our feelings and our emotions; much more than we are controlled by anything else. It means if the minds of two people can be matched; the chances of these two people forming and sustaining meaningful relationships increase a lot.
Accordingly, the system of Gun Milaan was devised, to assess the success rate of marriages; based on unique attributes belonging to Moon. When this system was devised, it was believed ‘marriage is a union of two minds’. Though other planetary factors were duly considered; but major focus was put on Gun Milaan. Let’s try to understand the system of Gun Milaan before moving ahead with the discussion.
During their transitory motion; all planets among navagraha except Rahu and Ketu move from Aries to Pisces in cyclic movements. Rahu and Ketu move from Pisces to Aries in cyclic retrograde motion. Hence Moon also moves from Aries to Pisces. Within these twelve signs; lie 27 nakshatras from Ashwini to Revati. Hence each planet moves through these 27 nakshatras also; while moving through 12 zodiac signs. This concept has been explained in details in the book ‘Nakshatras – The Journey of Soul’.
At any given point in time; Moon is placed in one specific sign as well as in one specific nakshatra within that sign; like all other planets among navagraha. When a native is born; the sign of placement of Moon at that time is commonly called the birth sign, Moon sign, Moon Raashi or Raashi of that native. Likewise, the nakshatra of placement of Moon is called the birth nakshatra of the native. 12 signs and 27 nakshatras form a number of favorable and unfavorable combinations among themselves. The study of such combinations as well as their outcomes is conducted through the system of Gun Milaan.
Through this system, various attributes associated with Moon signs and Moon nakshatras of male and female are matched. This matching indicates outcomes which may be highly favorable, favorable, average, unfavorable or highly unfavorable; depending on the points which may be scored out of 36. These points are called Gunas. Since this system works on the basis of calculating the strength of a match based on Gunas; it is called Gun Milaan (point based matching).
A score below 18 is considered bad for compatibility and it gets worse as it moves down to 1. A score above 18 is progressively considered better and a score of 36 out of 36 is called a perfect match. Hence, if a couple registers a score of 26 out of 36, the match may be recommended with some cautions and some remedies for the missing Gunas. However, if a score of 10 or below is obtained, the match may not be recommended at all, even with remedies. This is how the system of Gun Milaan works.
Knowing this much, let’s move ahead with the discussion. The system of Gun Milaan considers Moon and Moon alone for all calculations. No other planet is taken into account while making calculations through this system.
All eight koots have been named on the basis of placements of Moon in various signs and nakshatras. Since this system works on the basis of Moon alone, it can’t be a complete system on its own; when it comes to decide the fate of a marriage. Hence it may be a helpful system but it may not be the only factor which should be considered.
Let’s consider another probability and let’s start without Manglik Dosh in any of these horoscopes. Suppose malefic exalted Rahu is placed in the sixth house of male native’s horoscope in Taurus in Krittika nakshatra. Let’s not make any changes to female native’s horoscope at this point. Rahu is malefic, it is exalted and it is known to add corruptions to other planets. Moon is a delicate planet and it is often not able to fight such corruptions effectively. In addition to that, the sixth house is a difficult to handle house.
Hence due to corruption added by Rahu, Moon may seem like placed in Mrigashira, but it may actually give results like Krittika which is the nakshatra of placement of Rahu. Moon is the mind and the mind is very impressionable. Hence the presence of any benefic or malefic planet with Moon may affect it much more than other planets among navagraha. Therefore, the characteristics of Moon may change in this horoscope. It is like Moon is clean water in Mrigashira and Rahu adds the colour black to it. Hence Moon may lose its original colour and it may turn black or blackish.
Therefore in this case, Moon may behave more like Krittika than Mrigashira. If we calculate the score for Moon in Krittika in Taurus for male and Moon in Rohini for female; the score drops to 27. Just one factor in one horoscope has been altered and the score may be dropped by 9 points; though Gun Milaan may still show 36 points. Apart from that, malefic exalted Rahu in the sixth house may try its best to break the first marriage of this male native or make such marriage miserable. Hence this match may not be perfect or even good; though Gun Milaan indicates so. Likewise, there may be cases where the results may change from very good to bad; merely due to placement of a malefic planet with Moon in one or both the horoscopes.
It should be noted that the system of Gun Milaan primarily works on the basis of matching of two minds. Let’s name the native with Moon in Mrigashira nakshatra as Mrigashira native. Likewise, let’s name the native with Moon in Rohini nakshatra as Rohini native. When we try to calculate the score for horoscope matching, we are matching Mrigashira native with Rohini native. However due to strong malefic influence of Rahu on Moon; we may end up matching Krittika native with Rohini native; or a fusion of Krittika and Mrigashira native with Rohini native. The results in this case may not be reliable since Gun Milaan doesn’t take this factor into account and it may still predict that the match is perfect.
Similarly, there are a number of other defects, placements and combinations which may create serious problems in the marriage of these natives. However, Gun Milaan may still assign 36 points which means the marriage is perfect.
When that happens; the marriage may prove disastrous. Taking an example, suppose in the horoscope of the male native; Moon is placed in the sixth house in Taurus in Mrigashira along the malefic Venus in Krittika. Mars forms Manglik Dosh in the seventh house in Gemini in Ardra nakshatra and a malefic combination of Mercury, Sun and Rahu is placed in the eighth house of this horoscope in Cancer. Suppose Rahu is placed in Ashlesha nakshatra.
In this case, Venus being the general signifier of marriage for male natives is seriously afflicted in the sixth house. Mars forms Manglik Dosh in the seventh house and Mercury being the lord of the seventh house is seriously troubled by malefic Rahu. Combining all these factors; this male native may witness one, two, three or more broken marriages; depending on the rest of his horoscope. For example, if Jupiter is also placed in the sixth house of this horoscope in Taurus in Krittika or Mrigashira nakshatra; the native may not settle in any of his marriages. Such native may witness multiple failed marriages and even the one which may survive in the end; may still be a troublesome one.
Here again, the system of Gun Milaan gives a score of 36 out of 36; which means it indicates perfect marriage. If troublesome placements are there in the horoscope of the female native also; the equation may become even more difficult to handle. For example, suppose a malefic combination of Jupiter and Rahu is placed in the sixth house in Scorpio and a malefic combination of exalted Moon in Rohini and Ketu forms Grahan Yoga in the twelfth house in Taurus.
Suppose a malefic combination of Mars and retrograde Saturn is placed in the seventh house of this horoscope in Sagittarius and both these planets are placed in Moola nakshatra. This horoscope becomes even more troublesome than that of the male native. Hence such female native may witness multiple broken marriages, she may witness physical and mental abuse through marriage and she may even get killed by her first husband; if the rest of her horoscope is also malefic. The system of Gun Milaan shows 36 out of 36 scores in this case also. Hence the marriage may look perfect when seen through the system of Gun Milaan.
However in reality; each one of these horoscopes is capable of creating very serious problems related to marriage. With such horoscopes; both these natives may not settle in their first one or two marriages; no matter who they get married to and no matter how high the score may be. The only way of helping these natives without remedies is to get them married to the natives who have horoscopes which feature very good marriages. However due to the overall troubled horoscopes of these natives; such matches may never be finalized and the other side may always refuse on account of one reason or the other.
This may happen because when your horoscope is very good for marriage; it may try its best; not to get you married to someone whose horoscope has serious problems related to marriage. Hence the benefic planets in your horoscope may keep avoiding such proposals on account of various reasons. Let’s draw a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means very bad marriage and 10 means a perfect marriage. This scale operates on the basis of the entire horoscope; considering each and every relevant factor; some of which have been discussed earlier.
When it comes to marriage; a horoscope may take a jump or dip of 1, 2 or 3 points at the most and not more than that; on its own. In most cases, such jump or dip may be 1 to 2 points. This means that if a native has a score of 5 on this scale, he may get married to someone with 7 or 3; and with any score in between, in general. These scores are calculated individually from each horoscope. It means that these scores tell us how good or bad the marriage of a native may be; regardless of the horoscope of the partner. After that, the score of the partner is also checked and then; a final score is calculated.
In the present case, the native with a score of 5 may get married to a native having a score between 3 and 7. No matter how hard this native may try; he may not get married to someone with a score of 9 or 10. This is because the horoscope of a native with a score of 9 or 10 may be fully capable of protecting the native from getting married to someone with a score of 5. Hence such marriage may never happen; no matter how hard the native with the score of 5 tries.
Likewise, this native may also not get married to someone with a score of 0 or 1. In this case, native’s own horoscope may protect him. Hence such proposal may not be finalized, no matter how hard one or both the parties may try. This happens because the system of nature and karmas maintains its balance. If a horoscope rates 9 for marriage; the native must get matrimonial bliss. However, if he gets married to someone with a score of 1; such matrimonial bliss may be completely destroyed. Hence it may simply not happen and the horoscope of this native may strictly guard against such proposals.
The system of scoring gives us a margin of 2 points on either side, in most cases. This margin may look small but it can prove big when we understand it properly. If a native with a score of 5 gets married to a native with a score of 3, the drop is that of two points. If the same native gets married to a native with a score of 7; he takes a jump of 2 points. When we compare his worst chance which is getting married to someone with 3 points and his best chance of getting married to someone with a score of 7; the difference comes out to be 4 points. Hence this native may fall to 3 or he may rise to 7. When we look at it like this; the difference is big.
With guided remedies, jump of 3 to 4 points can also be achieved. It means if a native has a score of 5; guided remedies may be conducted for him or her over a long period of time; let’s say for more than a year or two. Such guided remedies are directed at reducing the strength of malefic energies affecting his or her marriage. At the same time; such remedies may provide strength to the benefic energies which bless his or her marriage. Over a period of time and with dedicated as well as guided efforts; the horoscope of this native may reflect a score of 6 to 7.
It should be noted that the birth charts are fixed and hence they can’t be changed. It means that the birth chart of this native may still reflect a score of 5 points. However, the actual score may become 6 or 7 now; say 7. In this case; the native may get married to someone with a score of 9 and he may not get married to someone below a score of 5. Without remedies, such native may go only as high as 7 in most cases.
From this discussion, it is easy to conclude that the system of Gun Milaan is not complete on its own, though it certainly carries importance. Though it is assumed that this system was the primary system used for checking the health of marriages in ancient times; it is not true in my opinion. The ancient scholars were much wiser and much more blessed than the scholars of present times. Hence they must have known all these factors. Therefore, they might have used this system as a part of the process of horoscope matching but not as the decisive part of this process.
Looking at another aspect; in the old times, a native settling abroad or staying abroad for long periods of time was considered as a bad thing. This is because these people loved peace, family, values and traditions a lot. Once you settle abroad, you’re separated from your roots. It’s a matter of a couple of generations that the future members of your family may forget your roots; and lose all values and traditions. In the deepest sense; it means that the wisdom accumulated by your ancestors over a period of thousands of years and passed on through traditions may be lost. Hence you may benefit in terms of material gains but you may lose a lot in exchange.
For this reason, a number of people in the old times considered foreign settlement as a curse. However in the present times; it seems to be one of the biggest blessings. A number of people are interested in marriage proposals which can get them settled abroad. In some parts of India, this issue has become so big that people are willing to marry almost anyone who is foreign citizen; regardless of all other aspects.
Hence our needs have changed and accordingly; different approach should be taken for horoscope matching. Whereas the placements of Moon in matching signs and nakshatras can bless a couple with emotional and mental compatibility and that too if the rest of the horoscope is supportive; it simply can’t bless them with all the things they are asking for; in this day and age.
Accordingly, we need to shift our focus away from Moon and towards the planets which are capable of blessing us with the results we are looking for. When we look at it like this, the game changes. Regardless of the gender; Venus becomes a very important planet for marriage in the present times. In case of males; this planet can bless them with money, wealth and luxuries whereas in case of females, it can bless them with physical beauty. Since money and wealth are what majority of females may be looking for in their partners and physical beauty is what most males may be looking for in their partners; Venus takes the front seat.
Then there are planets like Sun, Mars, Mercury and Saturn which can bless you with authority, fame, reputation, success, bravery, courage, intellect, planning, dutifulness, intelligence, creativity and many other such things. A number of people in the present times wish that their partners should possess some of these attributes.
When it comes to Rahu, it may be considered as a malefic planet in general; but it is high in demand in the present times; even when people may not know this fact on conscious level. Among navagraha, Rahu deals with foreign affairs. Hence all types of foreigners, foreign bodies, foreign settlements, international trade and other likewise people and things are ruled by Rahu. In the old times; the placement of Rahu in the seventh house was considered bad since it might add corruption to the marriage. One aspect of such corruption is that such native may settle abroad or away from his or her family; after his or her marriage.
In the present times; the same aspect may serve as a blessing. Benefic Rahu in the seventh house can bless the native with foreign settlement after his or her marriage; among other things. Hence Rahu in the old times was almost always considered malefic in the seventh house whereas it can act as benefic planet in the seventh house, in the present times.
Likewise, there are a number of other aspects which have changed. People in the old times wanted altogether different things from marriage, compared to the people of today. Hence a match they considered bad, may be considered very good today. Likewise, a match they considered very good, may be considered very bad today.
Taking another example, if the horoscope of a female native indicated that she might be outgoing, social, leader-type and ambitious; it was not considered as a good sign. The social system of those times demanded females to assume domestic responsibilities; and professional responsibilities were assigned to males. However, a female with such traits in her personality may be strongly willing to get out of the house and do something in the domain of profession. Though many people considered it as a problem in the old times; many people in the present times consider it a blessing or good thing. Here again, the primary requirement has changed and based on that requirement; the net outcomes of horoscope matching have changed.
Therefore, in the present times; horoscope matching should be done; by considering all aspects which may be generally important according to the need of the present times; or they may be specifically important. Looking at the term ‘specifically important’; the parents of a female may want that their daughter should get married to someone who may permanently settle abroad so that their daughter may also settle abroad. It this case, if the horoscope of a male indicates that he may become a foreign citizen in the future; it is a specifically beneficial as well as important factor.
On the other hand, if the parents of a female have this priority that their daughter should not get married to someone who may settle abroad in future; the horoscope of the same male is a specifically harmful and important factor. Likewise, the parents of a male may want that the female should have a successful professional career so that the financial aspect of marriage may benefit. On the other hand, the parents of another male may want that the female should be a housewife so that more attention may be paid to the concept of building and raising a family. Here again, this factor is specifically important.
Therefore, horoscope matching should be done by taking all these factors into consideration. When Gun Milaan is the only system which is practiced to predict the outcomes of a marriage in the present times; the accuracy of predictions may be questionable in most cases. Even if a concept like Manglik Dosh is considered along with Gun Milaan, it is not sufficient. The entire horoscopes should be matched properly, generally as well as specifically; to obtain maximum benefits from the process of horoscope matching.
Coming to the end, it should be kept in mind that the system of Gun Milaan is still an important aspect of horoscope matching; though it is not the only aspect. Taking an example, if the process of horoscope matching is attempted like a question paper; the section of Gun Milaan may carry 10 out of 100 marks. This makes it an important section but not the only section which should be attempted. Hence Gun Milaan should be considered as a part of the process called horoscope matching and it should not be considered as the entire process itself.
Himanshu Shangari