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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Match Making & Manglik Dosh (Revised Edition 2020)’.
Varna Dosh, Vashya Dosh
In the system of Gun Milaan, the koot (aspect) of Varna carries 1 point and the koot of Vashya carries 2 points. Let’s see what these koots are and what their relevance is, in the system.
Staring with Varna, the 12 zodiac signs have been divided into 4 categories. These categories are called their Varnas (classes). Here are the Varnas assigned to different signs.
Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are classified as Brahman Varna according to Vedic astrology.
Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are classified as Kshatriya Varna according to Vedic astrology.
Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are classified as Vaishya Varna according to Vedic astrology.
Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are classified as Shudra Varna according to Vedic astrology.
Brahman Varna is considered as the most superior among all Varnas; followed by Kshatriya Varna, Vaishya Varna and Shudra Varna respectively. The system of Gun Milaan follows the rule that if the Varna of the male is superior or equal to the Varna of the female under consideration for horoscope matching, 1 out of 1 point or Guna is assigned for Varna matching. However, if the Varna of female is superior to the Varna of male, 0 out of 1 point or Guna is assigned for such Varna match. In such case, Varna Dosh is formed. The Moon signs or Raashis of male and female under consideration for horoscope matching are taken into account for matching Varnas.
For the sake of convenience, here is the points table for Varna matching.
| Male→
Female↓ |
Brahman | Kshatriya | Vaishya | Shudra |
| Brahman | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kshatriya | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vaishya | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Shudra | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Formation of Varna Dosh may disturb the marriage of the couple and such couple may be incompatible with each other. The reason assigned to such allotment of Guna for Varna matching is that in order for a marriage to be good, the Varna of husband should be superior to the Varna of wife. A husband with superior Varna may be well capable of taking care of his wife as well as managing and guiding his wife.
On the other hand, if the Varna of wife is superior to that of husband, he may not be able to manage and guide his wife. Hence the couple may face problems in their marriage. Therefore, a score of 0 out of 1 is assigned in a case. In total, there are 16 probable combinations for Varna match between a male and female; and 6 out of these 16 combinations qualify for 0. Hence in these 6 cases, Varna Dosh is formed.
Moving on to Vashya, Vedic astrology assigns Vashya to each one of the 12 zodiac signs. These Vashyas are called Chatushpada (quadruped), Manava (human) or Dwipada (two-footed), Jalchar (water animal), Vanchar (wild animal) and Keet (ant). Here is how the Vashyas are assigned to the 12 signs:
Chatushpada Vashya is assigned to Aries, Taurus, the 1st half of Capricorn and the 2nd half of Sagittarius.
Manava Vashya is assigned to Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Aquarius and the 1st half of Sagittarius.
Jalchar Vashya is assigned to Cancer, Pisces and the 2nd half of Capricorn.
Vanchar Vashya is assigned to Leo.
Keet Vashya is assigned to Scorpio.
Based on the mutual compatibility of the Vashyas of male and female; a score of 2, 1.5, 1 or 0 is assigned. The system of Gun Milaan believes that the Vashya of male should be superior to the Vashya of female under consideration for horoscope matching; in order for the couple to enjoy a happy and compatible marriage. Hence 2 out of 2 Gunas are assigned for Vashya match if the Vashya of male is superior to the Vashya of female.
On the other hand, if the Vashya of female is superior to that of male, the Gunas assigned to such Vashya match start decreasing in the order in which the Vashya of the female is superior to that of the male. In some of these cases where Vashya of the female is far superior to that of the male, 0 out of 2 Gunas is assigned for such Vashya match. Vashya dosh is formed in such cases.
For the sake of convenience, here is the points table for Vashya matching.
| Female↓ | Male | ||||
| Chatushpada | Manava | Jalchar | Vanchar | Keet | |
| Chatushpada | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 1 |
| Manava | 1 | 2 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Jalchar | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Vanchar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Keet | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
The reason assigned to such allotment of Gunas for Vashya matching is that in order for a marriage to be good, the Vashya of husband should be superior to the Vashya of wife. A husband with superior Vashya may be well capable of taking care of his wife as well as managing and guiding his wife.
In order to get to the bottom of such allotments of Gunas for Varna and Vashya, we need to understand the social system of the old times; when the process of Gun Milaan was formed and used. According to the social setup, each gender as well as class had defined duties and they were not supposed to perform actions outside the defined boundaries.
Looking at genders; let’s understand the roles of males and females in the old times. Males were responsible for earning money as well as for protecting their families; among other things. Females were responsible for raising families and taking care of them; among other things. According to the need of this system; females didn’t need much formal education since they were supposed to be housewives. Hence they were instead motivated to learn domestic skills which could help them do their jobs more efficiently.
Since the jobs related to financial matters and security matters were assigned to males; it was assumed that they should not be influenced by females in such matters; in order to do their jobs in best possible ways. Hence if a female belonged to a superior class, she might take charge of the marriage. It meant such female could advice or influence her husband in matters related to finances and security. Apart from that, such female could ask to become an active part of profession. These aspects were not considered good for females, during those times. Hence a female having Varna superior to that of the male was considered a bad Varna match.
The same reason holds for Vashya matching. Accordingly, maximum points were assigned when the Varna and Vashya of male were superior to those of female whereas minimum points were assigned when Varna and Vashya of female were superior or far superior to those of male.
This system might have worked well in those times; based on their social and cultural systems. However, in the present times; the roles have changed. To be precise, there are no fixed roles. Hence a female may be a police officer and her husband may be a chef. However, the marriage may still work well. Likewise, a woman may be a doctor and her husband may be a businessman. However, the marriage may still work very well.
It means the society which formed these rules according to the need of their time; has changed and it has changed a lot. This changed society can’t do well with the same old rules and the rules need to be changed. Hence Varna and Vashya koots may not carry that much importance in today’s world; as they might have carried during the old times.
Everything changes with time. Accordingly, the concepts of Vedic astrology and their applications should also change. If we keep applying the same old rules to a highly changed system or society; such rules may not give us good results; in most cases. On the other hand, if we modify the rules and make them suitable according to the need of the time; they may serve us much more value.
Hence horoscope matching is not the same as it used to be and it needs to be done differently. An astrologer should look into all the factors which may be generally or specifically important; on case to case basis. Only then it should be determined whether two natives may form a good couple or not.
Himanshu Shangari