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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Match Making & Manglik Dosh (Revised Edition 2020)’.
Graha Maitri Dosh in Horoscope Matching
Graha Maitri (planetary friendship) koot carries 5 points or Gunas in the system of Gun Milaan. Different number of points are assigned for Graha Maitri matching, based on how the lords of the Moon signs of male and female match with each other; according to the rules of Gun Milaan.
There are 12 zodiac signs and each one of these signs is ruled by a specific planet among navagraha. Such planet is called the ruling planet or the lord of such sign. Here are the planetary lordships of signs according to Vedic astrology:
Aries is ruled by Mars according to Vedic astrology.
Taurus is ruled by Venus according to Vedic astrology.
Gemini is ruled by Mercury according to Vedic astrology.
Cancer is ruled by Moon according to Vedic astrology.
Leo is ruled by Sun according to Vedic astrology.
Virgo is ruled by Mercury according to Vedic astrology.
Libra is ruled by Venus according to Vedic astrology.
Scorpio is ruled by Mars according to Vedic astrology.
Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter according to Vedic astrology.
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn according to Vedic astrology.
Aquarius is ruled by Saturn according to Vedic astrology.
Pisces is ruled by Jupiter according to Vedic astrology.
Vedic astrology decides mutual relationships between all planets among navagraha. The relationship aspect of different planets with one another tells which Graha is friendly towards which Graha, neutral towards which Graha and enemy towards which Graha. Points for Graha Maitri are assigned on the basis of the relationship between the lords of Moon signs of male and female. Depending on the relationship between Moon sign lords of male and female under consideration for horoscope matching, the system of Gun Milaan assigns following points for Graha Maitri Match:
If the planetary lord of Moon sign of the male is same as the planetary lord of Moon sign of the female under consideration for horoscope matching, 5 out of 5 points are assigned. For example, if the planetary lord of Moon signs of both male and female is Mars, 5 out of 5 points are assigned.
If the planetary lord of Moon sign of the male and the planetary lord of Moon sign of the female under consideration for horoscope matching are friendly towards each other, 5 out of 5 points are assigned. Taking an example, if male and female have their Moon signs as Leo and Aries; the lords of these signs, Sun and Mars respectively are mutual friends.
If the planetary lord of Moon sign of the male and the planetary lord of Moon sign of the female under consideration for horoscope matching are friendly-neutral towards each other, 4 out of 5 points are assigned. This classification of Graha Maitri means that one planetary lord is friendly towards the second one whereas the second planetary lord is neutral towards the first one. For example, if male and female have their Moon signs as Aries and Cancer; 4 points are assigned. Mars is friendly towards Moon whereas Moon is neutral towards Mars.
If the planetary lord of Moon sign of the male and the planetary lord of Moon sign of the female under consideration for horoscope matching are neutral-neutral towards each other, 3 out of 5 points are assigned. For example, if male and female have their Moon signs as Aries and Libra; 3 points are assigned. Both Mars and Venus are neutral towards each other.
If the planetary lord of Moon sign of the male and the planetary lord of Moon sign of the female under consideration for horoscope matching are friend-enemy towards each other, 1 out of 5 points is assigned. For example, if male and female have their Moon signs as Virgo and Cancer, 1 point is assigned. Moon is friendly towards Mercury but Mercury has enmity for Moon.
If the planetary lord of Moon sign of the male and the planetary lord of Moon sign of the female under consideration for horoscope matching are neutral-enemy towards each other, 0.5 out of 5 points are assigned. For example, if male and female have their Moon signs as Libra and Cancer, 0.5 points are assigned. Moon is neutral towards Venus but Venus has enmity for Moon.
If the planetary lord of Moon sign of the male and the planetary lord of Moon sign of the female under consideration for horoscope matching are enemy towards each other, 0 out of 5 points is assigned. For example, if male and female have their Moon signs as Leo and Aquarius, 0 point is assigned. Both Sun and Saturn are enemies towards each other.
For the sake of convenience, here is the points table for Graha Maitri matching:
Moon Sign lord of Male Versus Moon sign lord of Female.
| Male→
Female↓ |
Sun | Moon | Mars | Mercury | Jupiter | Venus | Saturn | |
| Sun | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Moon | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | |
| Mars | 5 | 4 | 5 | 0.5 | 5 | 3 | 0.5 | |
| Mercury | 4 | 1 | 0.5 | 5 | 0.5 | 5 | 4 | |
| Jupiter | 5 | 4 | 5 | 0.5 | 5 | 0.5 | 3 | |
| Venus | 0 | 0.5 | 3 | 5 | 0.5 | 5 | 5 | |
| Saturn | 0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
In cases where Graha Maitri matching gives a score of 0, 0.5 or 1 according to Gun Milaan, Graha Maitri Dosh is formed. This defect may create mental incompatibility between the partners. Hence it may lead to serious arguments and divorces in some cases; among other problems.
Now that we know the relevance of Graha Maitri matching in Gun Milaan, let’s look at its actual relevance in the process of horoscope matching. There are no doubts that Graha Maitri Dosh may result in mental incompatibility between the partners.
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 Graha Maitri 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. Suppose Moon is placed in the third house of male native’s horoscope in Leo and it is placed in the ninth house of female native’s horoscope in Aquarius. The lords of Moon signs are Sun and Saturn in case of male and female; respectively. Hence Gun Milaan assigns 0 points and Graha Maitri Dosh is formed.
Sun and Saturn are enemies towards each other. However, if there is a common platform between the energies of these two opposing planets; solution may be reached. Getting back to the horoscopes of male and female, Moon is placed in the third house in Leo and in the ninth house in Aquarius, respectively. In both these horoscopes, Gemini rises as the ascendant. It means the first house is ruled by Mercury.
As already mentioned many times, the first house is the most important house and the lord of the first house is the most important planet in a horoscope. This house directly deals with personality, among other things. Mercury is friendly towards Sun as well as Saturn. Sun is neutral towards Mercury and Saturn is friendly towards Mercury. It means both Sun and Saturn do well or very well with Mercury. Hence Mercury becomes the common platform through which; Sun and Saturn may reach an agreement in this case.
Both the natives are strongly influenced by Mercury through Gemini. Hence their personalities may feature a number of characteristics which are same or similar. In this case, the strength of Graha Maitri Dosh may reduce a lot and it may not cause significant problems.
Let’s look at this equation from the opposite angle. Suppose Moon is placed in the first house of a male native’s horoscope in Leo and it is placed in the first house of a female native’s horoscope in Aquarius. The equation is troublesome in this case. Graha Maitri Dosh is formed and apart from that; the ascendants in both these horoscopes are strongly opposed to each other. As a result, mental compatibility may be troubled; much more than what Graha Maitri Dosh indicates. Accordingly, this marriage may fail after facing serious issues. Unless the rest of their horoscopes are strongly supportive, these two natives may not get along with each other; throughout their lives.
Similarly, there are a number of other probable malefic combinations in both the horoscopes, which may increase the strength of Graha Maitri Dosh. On the other hand, there are a number of other probable benefic combinations in both the horoscopes, which may reduce the strength of Graha Maitri Dosh. Hence each and every relevant factor in both horoscopes should be checked properly, in order to determine whether or not Graha Maitri 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 Graha Maitri Dosh. Though Graha Maitri 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 Graha Maitri 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