"Marriages are made in heaven" is the oldest cliché one can think of on marriage, but according to astrology and stars, it holds true, that when a traditional expert astrologer matches a chart, he can make out whether or not a couple is meant to get married. In India, mostly before arranged marriages, an astrologer is consulted and horoscopes are matched. For the common man, however, it still remains a mystery and most often this information is used to very conveniently reject a match saying that the partners are not compatible.

Technically speaking, the matching of horoscopes is done to assess compatibility, similarity and the possibility of a harmonious relationship between two individuals who know nothing about each other. In the case of love marriages, it is not at all necessary to match horoscopes.

In Hindu traditional astrology for matching the horoscopes of the bride and bridegroom, the Rashi (moon sign) and the Nakshatra (constellation) in which the moon is placed in both horoscopes are considered. Several almanacs and books have a readymade table of about 36 points for the Moon Rashi and Nakshatra. There are some 8-10 factors which are taken into consideration for arriving at the total sum of about 36 points which examine a relationship from all aspects. It is said that if the matching points are more than 30 it is excellent, if it is 25 and above it is very good. If it is 18 and above it is good and if it is below that, then it is poor.

The main factors considered on the basis of the moonsign for matching of horoscopes are:

1. Varna (spiritual or ego development) - 1 point is allotted for this. It indicates the spiritual development and maturity of the soul. In the Hindu religious system, society is categorized into four castes depending on their duties - namely Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vysyas and Sudras.

The rashis are classified as follows:

Brahmins: Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio
Kshatriyas: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius
Vysyas: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
Sudras: Gemini. Libra and Aquarius

It is considered to be the best that the bridegroom and the bride belong to the same varna and if it is different, then the varna of the bridegroom should be superior to that of the bride.

2. Vasya (Magnetic control and amenability) - 2 points are allotted for this. Here again the rashis are divided into three categories -

Nara Rashis (two-legged) - Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius (first part) and Aquarius

Chatushpada Rashis (four-legged) - Aries, Taurus, Leo, Sagittarius (second part) and Capricorn

Jala Rashis (water) - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

It is favourable if both the bride and groom belong to the same vasya and then the other things come in. This suggests the magnetic control or amenability that the husband and wife will be able to show each other.

3. Graha Maitri or Rasyadhipati (Psychological disposition, mental qualities and affection) - 5 points are allotted for this. In this, the relationship between the lords of the janma rashis of the two people are concerned as friends, neutrals and enemies.

This is supposed to deal with the psychological disposition of the couple, their mental qualities and their affection for each other.

4. Rasi Kuta - 7 points are allotted for this. In this, the distance between the janma rashis of the bridegroom and the bride is considered. When the bridegroom's janma rashi from the bride's janma rashi is in 1st, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th or 12th, then full 7 points are given. If it is in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th then no points are given.

(The factors for the Nakshatra are the following):

5. Dina kuta or Tara Bala - 3 points are allotted for this. The nakshatra of the bridegroom is counted from that of the bride or vice-versa and then divided by number 9. If the remainder is 1, 3, 5, 7, then no points are given. If from one side it is favourable and from the other side unfavourable, then 1½ points are given.

In Dina kuta the couple's health and family happiness is indicated.

6. Yoni Kuta - 4 points are allotted to this. This implies physical contact or sexual compatibility. All the 27 nakshatras have been assigned certain animals for male and female. Marriage between nakshatras indicating the same class of yoni and between the male and female constellations of that yoni is said to be conducive to great happiness, perfect harmony and progeny.

7. Gana Kuta - 6 points are allotted to this. This has an important bearing on the compatibility of temperament and character of the couple concerned. Astrologically, three ganas (temperament) are recongnized i.e Deva (divine), Manusha (Human) and Rakshasha (diabolic).

Dev Gana - Ashwini, Mrigshira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Sravana and Revathi

Manushya Gana - Bharini, Rohini, Aridra, Poorvaphalguni, Uttaraphalguni, Poorvashada, Uttarashada, Poorvabhadrapada and Uttarabhadrapada.

Rakshasha Gana - Krittika, Ashlesha, Magha, Chitra, Vishakha, Jyestha, Moola, Dhanishta and Shatabisha

8. Nadi Kuta - 8 points are allotted. This aspect signifies the pulse or the nervous energy indicating the physiological and, to a certain amount, hereditary factors. The three nadis enumerated are Vatha (wind), Pitta (bile), Sleshma (phlegm). These are given nomenclatures as Adi, Madhya and Anthya respectively.

If the nakshatras of the bridegroom and the bride fall in different rows, then the agreement between the couple will be good.

9.Rajju - 4 points are allotted to it and it indicates the strength of the duration of married life and widowhood.

The 27 nakshatras are divided into different Rajjus, the janma nakshatra of the couple should not fall in the same Rajju. The best combination is that both should fall in different Rajjus.

10. Vedha - 2 points are allotted. This relates to affliction and certain nakshatras are capable of afflicting certain other nakshatras situated at a particular distance from them. If the nakshatra of the bridegroom and the bride have Vedha then no points are given. Otherwise 2 points are given.

11. Mahendra - 2 points are allotted for this. This aspect promises well-being, children and longevity. The nakshatra of the bridegroom, counted from that of the bride, should be 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22 and 25 - then 2 points are given; otherwise no points are given.

12. Stree Deergha - 2 points are allotted for this. If the nakshatra of the bridegroom, counted from that of the bride, is between 13 to 27, then 2 points are given. If it is between 8 to 12, one point is given and if it is between 0 and 7, no points are given.

13. Moon position - If the moon in both the horoscopes of the bridegroom and bride is hemmed in on both side houses by natural malefic planets, then 1 point is given. If the moon is not hemmed in by malefic planets in both horoscopes then 1 point is given.

Apart from this, some other factors that are important are: Mangal dosha - the Mars dosha, 7th house position, other malefic doshas, Ascendants with respect to each other and some micro issues. They also play a major role in deciding which two horoscopes are most compatible.

A lot of indepth analysis and thinking has gone into the matching of horoscopes, but due to lack of proper logic and reasoning and knowledge, modern urban people ignore it as a traditional handicap and fad. The horoscopes can indicate whether or not a couple are made for each other. There are karmic hints in the chart which indicate that some bonds are pre-ordained and destined. In a properly made and properly matched horoscope, all these factors are clearly visible and successful.