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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Match Making & Manglik Dosh (Revised Edition 2020)’.
Nadi Dosh in Horoscope Matching
Nadi Dosh / Nadi Dosha
Nadi koot carries 8 points or Gunas in the system of Gun Milaan. Different number of points are assigned for Nadi matching, based on how the Nadis of male and female match with each other; according to the rules of Gun Milaan.
According to Vedic astrology; there are 3 Nadis (channels) in human body and each one of them represents an element. The first one is called Aadi Nadi and it represents Vaata (air) element. Aadi Nadi represents the flow of energy from bottom to top, which means from feet to head. The second one is called Madhya Nadi and it represents Pitta (fire) element. Madhya Nadi represents the flow of energy in both directions; from top to bottom as well as from bottom to top. The third Nadi is called Antya Nadi and it represents Kapha (water) element. Antya Nadi represents the flow of energy from top to bottom.
Vedic astrology assigns a Nadi to each one of the 27 nakshatras. Each Nadi claims 9 nakshatras. A native’s Nadi is the one assigned to his or her birth nakshatra. Here is the distribution of 27 nakshatras among 3 Nadis.
If Moon is placed in Ashwini, Ardra, Punarvasu, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Jyeshtha, Moola, Shatabhisha or Poorvabhadrapada in a horoscope, the native is said to have Aadi Nadi.
If Moon is placed in Bharani, Mrigashira, Pushya, Poorvaphalguni, Chitra, Anuradha, Poorvashada, Dhanishtha or Uttarabhadrapada in a horoscope, the native is said to have Madhya Nadi.
If Moon is placed in Krittika, Rohini, Ashlesha, Magha, Swati, Vishakha, Uttarashada, Shravana or Revati in a horoscope, the native is said to have Antya Nadi.
The process of Nadi matching is based on the rule that if both male and female native belong to same Nadi; 0 out of 8 points are assigned. Nadi Dosh is formed in this case. If the Nadi of male is different than that of female, 8 out of 8 points are assigned. For example, if male native has Aadi Nadi and female native has Madhya or Antya Nadi; 8 out of 8 points are assigned. Such Nadi match is considered good. On the other hand, if the female native also belongs to Aadi Nadi, 0 out of 8 points are assigned and Nadi Dosh is formed.
For the sake of convenience, here is the points table for Nadi matching:
| Male→
Female↓ |
Aadi Nadi | Madhya Nadi | Antya Nadi |
| Aadi Nadi | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Madhya Nadi | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Antya Nadi | 8 | 8 | 0 |
If both natives have same Nadis, 3 types of Nadi Dosh can be formed during Nadi matching; depending on which Nadi is represented by birth nakshatras of both natives. Aadi Nadi Dosh is formed, if both male and female native have Aadi Nadi. Madhya Nadi Dosh is formed, if both male and female have Madhya Nadi. Antya Nadi Dosh is formed, if both male and female native have Antya Nadi.
Aadi Nadi Dosh may cause disturbances, arguments, divorce and problems related to children. Madhya Nadi Dosh may cause divorce, mishappenings and problems related to children. Antya Nadi Dosh may cause divorce, death of a partner and problems related to children.
The system of Gun Milaan mentions some exceptions. Nadi Dosh is considered nullified if any one of these conditions is met:
If both male and female have same birth nakshatra but the Pada (part or quarter) is different, Nadi Dosh is considered nullified. Each one of 27 nakshatras has 4 parts or quarters called padas or charanas in Vedic astrology. Taking an example, if Moon is placed in Ashwini nakshatra in the horoscope of male as well as that of female native; Nadi Dosh is formed. However, if the quarters occupied by Moon in both the horoscopes are different; Nadi Dosh is considered nullified.
For example, if Moon is placed in the first quarter of Ashwini in male native’s horoscope; the placement of Moon in second, third or fourth quarter of Ashwini in the horoscope of female native nullifies Nadi Dosh. However, if Moon is placed in the first part of Ashwini in female native’s horoscope; Nadi Dosh stands effective.
If both male and female have same Moon sign but the birth nakshatras are different and both of them have same Nadi, Nadi Dosh is considered nullified. For example, if Moon is placed in Ardra nakshatra in the horoscope of male native and Moon is placed in any one of the first three quarters of Punarvasu nakshatra in the horoscope of female native; Nadi Dosh is considered nullified. All quarters of Ardra fall in Gemini and the first three quarters of Punarvasu fall in Gemini whereas the fourth quarter falls in Cancer.
However, if Moon is placed in the fourth quarter of Punarvasu nakshatra in Cancer in the horoscope of female native; Nadi Dosh stands effective. Both Ardra and Punarvasu belong to Aadi Nadi and the natives have different Moon signs; Gemini in case of male and Cancer in case of female.
If both male and female have same birth nakshatra but their Moon signs are different, Nadi Dosh is considered nullified. For example, if Moon is placed in any one of the first three quarters of Punarvasu in the horoscope of male native and Moon is placed in the last quarter of Punarvasu in the horoscope of female native; Nadi Dosh is considered nullified. Both natives have same birth nakshatra and hence both of them have same Nadi (Aadi). However, the Moon sign of male is Gemini and that of the female is Cancer. If Moon is placed in the Gemini part of Punarvasu nakshatra in the horoscope of the female native; Nadi Dosh stands effective.
Now that we know the relevance of Nadi matching in Gun Milaan, let’s look at its actual relevance in the process of horoscope matching. There are no doubts that the specific problems indicated by three types of Nadi Dosh may trouble the couple if one such marriage is conducted.
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 Nadi 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 try to understand this concept with the help of some examples and let’s consider all types of Nadi Dosh. Let’s start with Madhya Nadi Dosh. Suppose Moon is placed in Bharani nakshatra in male native’s horoscope and Moon is placed in Mrigshira nakshatra in female native’s horoscope. Both Bharani and Mrigashira belong to Madhya Nadi. The process of Nadi matching assigns a score of 0 in this case; and Madhya Nadi Dosh is formed. As a result, this couple should face problems related to children and a number of other problems related to their 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 benefic Moon is placed in the second house in male native’s horoscope in Aries in Bharani; and Poorvabhadrapada rises in the ascendant in Pisces. Suppose benefic exalted Moon is placed in the fifth house in female native’s horoscope in Taurus in Mrigashira; and Uttarashada rises in the ascendant in Capricorn. Nadi Dosh is formed when we match Nadis for these natives. However, the overall equation is quite different in this case.
In case of male native; the placement of ascendant in Poorvabhadrapada nakshatra adds air element to his basic constitution; since Poorvabhadrapada nakshatra belongs to Aadi Nadi. As Pisces rises in the ascendant and it is a water sign; water element is also added to the constitution of this native. Hence this male native may be a mixture of all three elements. Moon is the lord of the fifth house which represents children among other things. Moon is benefic and it is placed in the second house which promotes the concept of family; when empowered by benefic planets.
In case of female native; the placement of ascendant in Uttarashada nakshatra adds water element to her constitution; since Uttarashada belongs to Antya Nadi. Hence this female native may be a mixture of fire and water element. Moon rules the seventh house in this horoscope. It is benefic, exalted and placed in the fifth house which directly deals with children. Hence the placement of Moon may not only prove beneficial for child aspect of marriage; it may also prove very good for the health of marriage.
Hence the couple may not face problems related to children since the essential elements are healthy in their horoscopes. Apart from children, the fifth house also represents love life. The placement of benefic exalted Moon being the lord of the seventh house in the fifth house indicates that this native may form a bond of love with her husband.
Let’s look at this equation from the opposite angle. Suppose Moon is placed in the fifth house of male native’s horoscope in Aries in Bharani; and Poorvashada nakshatra rises in the ascendant in Sagittarius. Suppose Moon is placed in the tenth house of female native’s horoscope in Taurus in Mrigashira; and Poorvaphalguni rises in the ascendant in Leo. The equation is quite troublesome in this case. All four prominent nakshatras; Bharani, Poorvashada, Mrigashira and Poorvaphalguni belong to Madhya Nadi. Hence they all represent fire element.
In addition to that; both horoscopes have their ascendants in fire signs; Sagittarius and Leo. It means both these natives may be troubled with excess of fire element. In the horoscope of male, malefic Moon being the lord of the eighth house is placed in the fifth house in a fire sign as well as in a fiery nakshatra. The eighth house represents unfortunate events, death and destruction among other things.
Due to the combined influence of all these factors; Madhya Nadi Dosh may cause very serious or destructive problems in this case. The couple may have physically or mentally abnormal child or children or they may witness death of one or more than one child; unless there are strong balancing factors in their horoscopes. Madhya Nadi Dosh may also cause serious problems in the marriage of this couple; owing to the excess of fire element in both natives; unless there are strong balancing factors in their horoscopes.
Similarly, there are a number of other probable malefic combinations in both the horoscopes, which may increase the strength of all three types of Nadi Dosh. On the other hand, there are a number of other probable benefic combinations in both the horoscopes, which may reduce the strength of all three types of Nadi Dosh. Hence each and every relevant factor in both horoscopes should be checked properly, in order to determine whether or not any type of Nadi 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 Nadi Dosh. Though Nadi 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 Nadi 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