Matchmaking: This is an age old practice followed in the Hindu society. It is according to Hindu astrology, which is primarily based on constellation of Moon at the time of birth. Matchmaking is a methodology by which we choose the right girl for the boy and vice versa.
Our traditional values were very high and norms were very strict, even 30-40 years ago. In south India, the cultural bond is still very strong than in northern part. Because of a very strong and strict value system, there were fewer divorces, extramarital affairs, clashes in husband-wife etc. Nowadays, the scenario is completely different and we all know where it is heading. There is a very high ratio of divorces these days in all religions. Unhappy married life is the story of most of the couples, not only in metros but in remote towns also. So what went wrong? Is the system still relevant or are we needing something more now?
The traditional system, which is Ashtakoot, is based on the birth constellation, rashi, rashi lord of Moon, characteristics of each constellation and its positional aspect with respect to other.
In South, Dashkoot methodology is used which is a further extension of the same.
The points which are taken into consideration, in Ashtakoot method, are :
1) Varna: It is the classification of community of rashis, just like we have Brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya and shoodra, same goes with rashis. The best combination is when both are of same Varna.
2) Vashya: It is the division of rashi’s on the basis of their nature i.e. two legged, four legged, and jala(watery). Here also it is best to have both with same vashya.
3) Tara: It is based on constellation and specific position of birth stars. Both are considered to match each other. They are total 9 in number .
4) Yoni: This is seen for sexual compatibility between the boy and girl. All constellations are assigned to a certain animal and the match is made based on it between the male and female constellations. Marriage between nakshatras of same class of yoni and between male and female constellation of that yoni is considered best.
5) Grahmaitri: The sign lord of Moon at birth is seen. Moon is the karak for mind and its lord is taken for reference to gauge the mental compatibility between the two. If the lords are good friends then full points are allotted.
6) Gan: All the 27 constellations are divided into 3 types of intrinsic characteristics called as Dev, Manushya and Rakshasha. Rakshasa can only marry a rakshasa and rest of the two can marry each other but the best combination is when both are same.
7) Bhakoot: It is the distance between the janma rashi of the boy and girl. The result is derived after considering it.
8) Nadi: This aspect signifies the pulse or the nervous energy indicating the physiological and some hereditary factors. The boy and girl should not have same nadi.
Apart from this there is Mangal Dosha to be considered very seriously for a prosperous marriage. This one factor can eliminate all the good factors present in a match result.
All the 8 points I mentioned above are based on Moon and its constellation at time of birth.
In this method, the most important are Yoni, Grahmaitri and Gan match. These three should be having full marks or atleast close to full marks otherwise one should not go ahead.
But a person always grows up and dies one day, he or she does not remain in that constellation for all their lives and this is the biggest drawback of this
matchmaking. In my opinion, the prevailing dasha of both, the position of ascendants, the position of Sun, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus is of more importance than this ashtkoot or dashkoot method which is based upon something that happened years ago in the life of a native.
The position of these planets should not be 6-8 or 2-12 to each other, the ascendant and 7th house should have least or none malefic aspect and 2nd house should be well enough.
These houses should not be in paapkartari, further the prevailing and the next dasha lords should be friends or at least neutral to each other and in good position in the chart with respect to each other.
On stellar level, the ascendant should not be connected to 6,8,12 houses in any way and also 2nd 7th 5th 11th houses.
I hope this article will be of some use to my readers and astrologer friends of this digital age.
