Introduction
Bhakoot is the seventh koota of ashtakoot milan, worth 7 of the 36 points. It comes from the distance between the bride's and groom's Moon signs. At certain distances it scores 0, and tradition calls this bhakoot dosha.
As with nadi, Muhūrta-cintāmaṇi also gives bhakoot's cancellations (parihār). This page explains when bhakoot dosha is counted, when it is not, and how ePandit shows it.
When bhakoot dosha is counted
Count from one Moon sign to the other, and then the other way round. If the two signs stand in one of these three pairings, bhakoot dosha is counted:
| Distance | The text's own example |
|---|---|
| 6–8 (ṣaḍāṣṭaka) | Mesha and Kanya |
| 5–9 (nava-pañcama) | Simha and Dhanu |
| 2–12 (dvi-dvādaśa) | Mesha and Vrishabha |
At every other distance, the same sign, 3–11, 4–10 and 7–7, bhakoot scores its full points. Muhūrta-cintāmaṇi (Vivāha-prakaraṇa, verse 31) calls these other placements comfortable for both.
Bhakoot uses only the Moon signs, so it usually works even with an uncertain birth time, unless the Moon changed sign that day.
Cancellations: when the dosha is not counted
Muhūrta-cintāmaṇi (Vivāha-prakaraṇa, verses 32 and 33) says the marriage is still counted auspicious in the pairings above when the nadi is pure (no nadi dosha) and one of these also holds:
- Both Moon signs have the same lord. For example Mesha and Vrishchika (both Mars, 6–8), Vrishabha and Tula (both Venus, 6–8), Makara and Kumbha (both Saturn, 2–12).
- The two lords are friends. For example Simha (Sun) and Dhanu (Jupiter): the Sun and Jupiter are friends. ePandit also counts it as friendship when one lord counts the other a friend and neither counts the other an enemy.
- The lords of the two Moon navamsha signs are friends in the same way. This route is in verse 32.
If the nadi is not pure, ePandit does not show the bhakoot dosha as cancelled even when one of these holds, and says why. The text gives a few more routes involving tara; ePandit does not count them, to keep the rule simple.
How ePandit shows it
A cancellation removes the dosha; it never adds points. So ePandit shows bhakoot's actual score (0 or 7) and notes beside it whether a cancellation applies, and which: "same lord", "lords are friends" or "navamsha lords are friends", with a pure nadi.
In the match summary ePandit looks at the doshas first and the total second. If a bhakoot dosha has no cancellation, the summary is "बात करके आगे बढ़िए" (talk it over, then go ahead). That does not mean "no"; it means both families and both partners should talk openly about way of life, work, expectations and each other's temperament.
What it does not mean
- The muhurta texts attach old outcome statements to each pairing. ePandit does not repeat them, because the distance between two Moon signs decides nothing about a family's future.
- Points alone never decide a marriage. The whole chart, both people's natures and their understanding of each other matter far more.
- It calls for no puja, gem or expense. If a family wishes to do something of its own accord, /upay shows the ₹0 options first.