In Vedic astrology, marriage matching rests upon the Ashtakoota system outlined in classical manuals like Muhurta Chintamani, Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, and Jataka Parijata. The word Ashtakoota comes from Sanskrit: ashta meaning eight, and koota meaning category.
The calculation compares the positions of the Moon in both birth charts. Because the Moon governs the emotional mind (Manas), personality instincts, and habitual responses, its alignment gives a practical foundation for long-term domestic compatibility. The eight categories add up to 36 total points, called Gunas.