Every Bhatia who’s been married or is in the process of selecting a partner, has been in discussions around Kundalis and matching of gunas. Terms like ‘Shani’, ‘Mangal’, etc. are common especially if you have a kundali that is not easily matched.

So, what exactly is Kundali Matching and why is it a part of the matrimony process? And what does it mean for Bhatias?

Kundali Matching has its roots in Jyotish-vidya, the traditional Hindu system of Astrology. Different planets have varied ‘prabhaav’ (influence) in each aspect of life. The degree of influence depends on the presence and distance from Earth – at the time of our birth. Some have a positive or favourable influence while others are believed to have an adverse effect. This ‘dasha’ (condition) of influence can be temporary or permanent.

 

Positions and movements of celestial objects like stars, planets, moons, etc. at the time of a person’s birth are used to create a ‘kundali’ or a ‘personality profile’. Every individual has a KundaliPatrika according to the date, place and time of birth. Different aspects of life are represented by different ‘grihas’ (homes). ‘Grahas’ (planets) reside in these grihas, depending on their positions at the time of birth.

 

Over time, with planetary movements, grihas reappear in life and their influence returns too. Hence ‘dasha’ reappears, which increases or decreases chances of certain happenings in life e.g. job change, house-change, marriage, children, etc. When dasha is favourable for certain things to happen, it is called ‘yog’ or period of possibility. Therefore, sometimes you hear that “there is no yog till next year.” which means planetary forces are not creating the effect for desired change and a favourable dasha is still a while away.

 

While the scientific validation of Astrology is debated globally, Hindu astrology is popular and a large section of the population still swears by it. Important decisions are taken in consultation with astrologers who use the ancient science to predict the possibility of events happening, or not happening.

 

The same is happening in marriage circles. While there are eligible boys and girls waiting for the right partners, many potential partners are written off because of ‘kundalis not matching’. The Global Bhatia spoke to a few people close to the action to try and understand the significance of Kundali Matching in the matrimony process.

 

“It is maths”, says Jignesh Joshi, grandson of Shri Vishnu Joshi ‘Maharaj’, who is a renowned and respected kulguru for Bhatias. “There is a certain way of calculation which needs to be followed keeping in mind different variables. Most peoplematch kundalis (gunanks) without checking softer aspects of the horoscope. It is an incomplete way of checking how twopersonalities match.” He gives online kundali matching softwares as an example of how ‘shortcuts’ can be misleading. He recalls how people come to him after matching kundalis in online softwares, “but we explain to them that there is more tomatching than just a score.” he clarifies. The additional analysis involves reference to the ‘maths’ – a logbook of sorts, which allows de-constructing the kundali by individual parameters and checking compatibility on each parameter.

 

Gunank scores are calculated on parameters of Rashi like Swami, Nakshatra, Yoni, Gan, Varna, Nadi, Vashya, Shani and Mangal. What also needs to be checked is how two profilesarcompatibleindifferent aspects of in like: LagnaSthal (physical compatibility), SantaanSthal (possibility of child), DampatyaJeevan (married life) and DhanKutumbhSthal (wealth). “Depending on your kul

(community) and ancestry, advice can differ. Your bloodline has an influence on such decisions and

you need to consult someone who knows where you come from. Do you think any random pandit would know well about Bhatias as a race?” says JigneshMaharaj, who belongs to a family of Kulgurus (gurus of the community, tracing back to Lord Krishna and his Guru Gargacharya).

 

The Global Bhatia Benevolent Foundation manages an annual

event and a matrimony service around the year. On 1st and 3rd

Saturday of every month, the office at Fort (Mumbai) sees

young adults of marriageable age come with parents to browse

through profiles, speak to counsellors like PradyumnaVedand

his team, and consult resident-astrologer DakshaAshar.

 

Dakshabenuses an online software and subjective understanding of candidates, based on her experience. She feels that there are lots of things to consider before a marriage and maybe Kundali Matching is just over-rated. “Lots of good prospects are lost out because of smallmatters and vague criteria anyway. Hence, I recommendnot depending on it. Parents and their marriageablechildren must realize that they need to be ready forsituations. What makes matrimony work are things likemutual understanding, trust, commitment, etc. A matchingkundali is no guarantee for a successful marriage.” Says Dakshaben, who has been instrumental in guiding many alliances. She recommends kundali for a basic check and if 18 of 36 gunas match, it’s good to go ahead.

 

Arunbhai Joshi, son of VishnuMaharaj, represent our kulgurus at the annual Parichay Milan event and can be consulted if complete and correct information is available. He says, “I do not answer questions if there isincomplete information. We cannot risk people’s lives bycompromising on our way of looking at kundalis.” He believes, those seeking guidance should ask questions to get to the root and not take any advice at face value. The person with right knowledge can explain anything. And if there is a solution being offered – don’t disregard it as ‘superstition’. Do it with all your faith – give it a chance and see it work.

 

PradyumnaVedis a social worker and volunteers as a sort of ‘counsellor’ to guide candidates and parents through the process, at GBBF’s office. “I see the hope andeagerness in parents’ eyes when they come looking for amatch for their child. The children are sometimesindifferent or embarrassed.” he says, pointing out to the trend of ‘independence in match finding’. He sees that emerging from three kinds of behaviours: First, people prefer meeting prospects alone first, rather than involving parents into the process. It is contrary to what his generation has seen. Second, involving parents makes the process more emotional and pressurizing. “Chances of aperson getting disappointed are higher when parents areinvolved at every step” he explains. And third, is the demand for non-interference in decision-making. Questions like “Why should I marry a Bhatia only? Why notsomeone from my profession?” are changing the dynamics of this process. With these growing number of variables, the process needs to change too. Pradyumnabha points out how the annual event has been overhauled to keep up with this trend. Candidates meet each other alone, before meeting with parents. According to him, it helps ease the tension and only mutually agreed on prospects proceed for detailed talks. The results speak: within three years of these changes, matches at the event have increased five times!

 

“Nowadays people are giving more importance to criteria like education, income, type of house, lifestyle, looks, communication, food habits, personality, etc. While there might be a definite preference for Bhatia spouses, failure to find a suitable match can be disappointing. Adding kundali tothis list makes the process even more complicated. Times are changing and we need to keep up with the new generation’s way of thinking. At the same time, let’s not forget our tradition.” he explains. He has closely witnessed alliances going ahead and not going ahead. Basis his experience, he has one piece of advice to offer, “When you go to watch a play at Tejpal, you must reach on time if you want a parking spot of your choice. If you reach late, you’ll have to park wherever you get place.” You get the message: start looking early.

 

There are possibly lots of other experiences and perspectives out there. Whichever way you look at it, Kundali Matching remains an essential element in guiding matrimonial alliances. It shows he way to those who seek it and have the courage to take the direction it gives. Others chose their own path. Either way, there is one conclusion that each of our experts agrees with: There have been failed marriages when kundalis were matched and failed marriages even when kundalis were not matched. At the same time, there have been successful marriages when kundalis were matched and even when kundalis were not matched.

 

The Traditional View

Matching only gunanks is not enough. It is important to get proper subjective matching done by a learned person who understands your ancestry and roots, and can guide in a reliable manner. Otherwise it is half-hearted formality.

 

The Lenient View

I feel that even a match of 18 gunas is fine to proceed. Lots of good matches are lost due to excessive dependency on kundalis. What makes marriages work is effort and commitment.

 

The Practical View

It is said that Kundali Matching is not required after 28 years of age. I feel the lives of well-educated young people should not depend on aRs 51 dakshina for matching kundalis – do you know the person who is deciding your child’s future?

 

OUR VIEW: The JanamKundali is an interesting science and has its own logic. If it cannot be appreciated it in its totality it should not be disregarded blindly either. Kundali Matching, like other applications of horoscope has its set of believers, non-believers and fence-sitters.

 

It can be considered a decision-making tool. In earlier times when child marriage was prevalent such a tool helped predict personalities and how they should be matched. The ability to understand self and articulate expectations is limited, nor is the parents’ ability to predict certain kinds of behaviours, etc. In such scenarios Kundali Matching served as a decision-making tool. Gradually as marriageable age increased, the dependency on the tool kept reducing – people are now better able to understand themselves and their partners.

 

Hence, the value of kundali as a tool cannot be dismissed. How much we allow it to override other parameters of matrimony really depends on our understanding and belief in the science. In summary, if you’re under 28 years old, it makes sense to consult a learned astrologer or guru when matching kundalis. If you’re in your 30’s, Kundali Matching can be a gross-negative check for majorwarnings, or be ignored completely. Sometimes, it’s fine to rely on your own judgment, family-opinion and mutual chemistry.