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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Match Making & Manglik Dosh (Revised Edition 2020)’.
Gan Dosh / Gana Dosh in Horoscope Matching
Gan Koot carries 6 points or Gunas in the system of Gun Milaan. Different number of points are assigned for Gana matching, based on how the Ganas of male and female match with each other; according to the rules of Gun Milaan.
Vedic astrology assigns a Gana to each nakshatra out of a total of 3 Ganas. These are named as Dev Gana (gods), Manava Gana (humans) and Rakshas Gana (demons). This classification of Ganas divides 27 nakshatras in 3 groups having equal number of nakshatras. It means that 9 nakshsatras have Dev Gan, 9 have Manava Gan and 9 have Rakshas Gan. The Gana of a native is the Gana assigned to the birth nakshatra of such native. Here are the Ganas assigned to each nakshatra according to Vedic astrology:
Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Shravana and Revati belong to Dev Gana; according to Vedic astrology.
Bharani, Rohini, Ardra, Poorvaphalguni, Uttaraphalguni, Poorvashada, Uttarashada, Poorvabhadrapada and Uttarabhadrapada belong to Manava Gana; according to Vedic astrology.
Krittika, Ashlesha, Magha, Chitra, Vishakha, Jyeshtha, Moola, Dhanishtha and Shatabhisha belong to Rakshas Gana; according to Vedic astrology.
The compatibility of each Gan with other Gan has been decided according to the rules of Vedic astrology. The system of Gun Milaan uses the following guidelines in order to calculate compatibility between Ganas of male and female:
If the birth nakshatra of the male belongs to Dev Gana and the birth nakshatra of the female also belongs to Dev Gana, 6 out of 6 points are assigned for such Gana match; according to the system of Gun Milaan.
If the birth nakshatra of the male belongs to Manava Gan and the birth nakshatra of the female also belongs to Manava Gan, 6 out of 6 points are assigned for such Gan match; according to the system of Gun Milaan.
If the birth nakshatra of the male belongs to Rakshas Gana and the birth nakshatra of the female also belongs to Rakshas Gana, 6 out of 6 points are assigned for such Gana match; according to the system of Gun Milaan.
If the birth nakshatra of the male belongs to Manava Gan and the birth nakshatra of the female belongs to Dev Gan, 5 out of 6 points are assigned for such Gan match; according to the system of Gun Milaan.
If the birth nakshatra of the male belongs to Dev Gana and the birth nakshatra of the female belongs to Manava Gana, 6 out of 6 points are assigned for such Gana match; according to the system of Gun Milaan.
If the birth nakshatra of the male belongs to Dev Gan and the birth nakshatra of the female belongs to Rakshas Gan, 1 out of 6 points are assigned for such Gan match; according to the system of Gun Milaan.
If the birth nakshatra of the male belongs to Rakshas Gana and the birth nakshatra of the female belongs to Dev Gana, 0 out of 6 points are assigned for such Gana match; according to the system of Gun Milaan.
If the birth nakshatra of the male belongs to Rakshas Gan and the birth nakshatra of the female belongs to Manava Gan, 0 out of 6 points are assigned for such Gan match; according to the system of Gun Milaan.
If the birth nakshatra of the male belongs to Manava Gana and the birth nakshatra of the female belongs to Rakshas Gana, 0 out of 6 points are assigned for such Gana match; according to the system of Gun Milaan.
For the sake of convenience, here is the points table for Gana matching:
Male→
Female↓ |
Dev Gana | Manava Gana | Rakshas Gana |
Dev Gana | 6 | 5 | 0 |
Manava Gana | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Rakshas Gana | 1 | 0 | 6 |
In cases of horoscope matching where Gan matching gives a score of 0 or 1, Gan Dosh is formed. This defect may create serious problems in the marriage and it may even break the marriage. The system of Gun Milaan mentions an exception for the formation of Gana Dosh during Gun Milaan.
If the Moon signs of both male and female are same, Gan Dosh is considered nullified. For example, if the birth nakshatra of male is Uttaraphalguni and the birth nakshatra of female is Chitra; and the Moon sign of both male and female is Virgo, Gana Dosh is considered nullified in this case; though Uttaraphalguni nakshatra belongs to Manava Gana whereas Chitra nakshatra belongs to Rakshas Gana.
It should be noted that Uttaraphalguni nakshatra covers two signs. The first quarter of this nakshatra falls in Leo and the last three quarters of this nakshatra fall in Virgo. Likewise, Chitra also covers two signs. The first two quarters of this nakshatra fall in Virgo and the last two quarters fall in Libra. Gan Dosh is considered nullified in this case, only if Moon is placed in the Virgo parts of these nakshatras.
If male’s Moon is placed in Leo part of Uttaraphalguni and female’s Moon is placed in Virgo or Libra part of Chitra; Gana Dosh is not nullified. Likewise, if female’s Moon is placed in Libra part of Chitra and male’s Moon is placed in Leo or Virgo part of Uttaraphalguni; Gan Dosh is not nullified.
Now that we know the relevance of Gana matching in Gun Milaan, let’s look at its actual relevance in the process of horoscope matching. The qualities represented by Deva Gana and Manava Gana either bear resemblances or they may complement one another. Hence a cross-match between Deva Gan and Manava Gan is considered good. It can also be seen that the qualities represented by Rakshas Gana either don’t match with those represented by Dev Gana and Manava Gana; or they oppose such qualities. Hence a cross-match between Rakshasa Gan and Manava or Dev Gan is considered bad.
Due to possessing same or similar qualities; each Gana may do well or very well when matched with the same Gana. Hence Dev-Dev, Manava-Manava and Rakshas-Rakshas matches carry 6 out of 6 points. Dev and Manava Gana may also do well in cross Gan matches between these two. Hence Dev-Manava and Manava-Dev matches are also considered good. Accordingly, they carry 6 and 5 points respectively; where the first part represents the Gan of male.
If a Dev or Manava Gana nakshatra is matched with a Rakshas Gana nakshatra; such marriage may create serious problems. From the qualities possessed by Rakshas Gana, it may be easy to see that they may not go along well with Dev or Manava Gana. Hence the formation of Gan Dosh is justified.
However, the tendencies shown through Moon signs and Moon nakshatras are not the decisive ones and there are a number of factors in each horoscope, which may significantly or completely change these tendencies. Hence serious problems posed by Gana Dosh may be realized; only if the overall horoscopes of male and female natives support these tendencies. On the other hand, such problems may reduce a lot; if the overall horoscopes show tendencies against them.
Let’s take an example to understand this concept in a better way. Suppose Moon is placed in Magha nakshatra in the horoscope of a male native and it is placed in Pushya nakshatra in the horoscope of a female native. Magha belongs to Rakshas Gana and Pushya belongs to Dev Gana. Hence Gun Milaan assigns 0 out of 6 points for Gan Match; and Gan Dosh is formed.
Such Gana Dosh may create a number of problems in the marriage. However, the tendencies shown through Moon signs and Moon nakshatras are not the decisive ones and there are a number of factors in each horoscope, which may significantly or completely change these tendencies. Taking an example, suppose Moon is placed in the tenth house of male native’s horoscope in Leo in Magha nakshatra. Scorpio rises as ascendant in this case. Suppose within Scorpio, Anuradha nakshatra rises in the ascendant.
It should be noted that the sign as well as the nakshatra which rises in the ascendant is capable of influencing various spheres of native’s life as well as his or her personality; in a strong way. Hence the overall personality of this native may feature significant shades of characteristics exhibited by Magha as well as Anuradha nakshatra. Anuradha belong to Dev Gan. As a result, this native becomes a mixture of Dev and Rakshasa Gan. However, Gun Milaan may still consider this native as Rakshas Gana because this system doesn’t consider anything other than Moon signs and Moon nakshatras. As a result, Gan Dosh may form during Gun Milaan but the couple may not face serious problems because of it; since the male native has become a mixture of Dev and Rakshas Gana.
Let’s look at this equation from the opposite angle. Suppose Moon is placed in the tenth house in Leo in Magha nakshatra in the horoscope of male native and Jyeshtha nakshatra rises in the ascendant in the sign of Scorpio. Jyeshtha nakshatra belongs to Rakshas Gana. It means both rising nakshatra and Moon nakshatra of this native belong to Rakshas Gana. Accordingly, the native may have strong Tamasic traits in his personality; unless there are corrective planets in his horoscope.
In this case also, Gan matching gives 0 points and Gan Dosh is formed, if both these horoscope are matched. However, the equation is altogether different than the first case. The male and the female native may have personalities which may be quite different from each other and which may at times stand in opposition to each other. As a result, the marriage may suffer due to strong Gana Dosh; unless there are corrective energies in both horoscopes.
Similarly, there are a number of other probable malefic combinations in both the horoscopes, which may increase the strength of Gan Dosh. On the other hand, there are a number of other probable benefic combinations in both the horoscopes, which may reduce the strength of Gana Dosh. Hence each and every relevant factor in both horoscopes should be checked properly, in order to determine whether or not Gan Dosh may create problems in the marriage of two natives, under consideration for horoscope matching.
Vedic astrology mentions various remedies to reduce malefic effects of Gana Dosh. Though Gan Dosh Nivaran Pooja may be performed in general; it alone may not be sufficient in most cases. Since the type and quantum of problems indicated by Gana Dosh as well as the type and strength of planets which may try to reduce the intensity of this defect may be different in different horoscopes; general remedies may not bring satisfactory results in most cases. Hence the remedial approach should be specially chosen for the native or natives under consideration. Therefore, appropriate and comprehensive remedial measures should be implemented; only after thoroughly analysing both horoscopes.
Himanshu Shangari