For generations in India, Kundali Milan or horoscope matching has been a non-negotiable ritual before marriage. A high score, especially the coveted 36 out of 36 gun matches, is traditionally seen as a divine endorsement for a harmonious and lasting union. However, a growing number of couples with this perfect astrological score are finding themselves in family courts, seeking divorce. This stark reality forces a crucial question: is astrology alone enough to sustain a marriage?
The Myth of the Perfect Match
In a detailed discussion dated January 08, 2026, astrologer and relationship expert Pawan Sinha addressed this very paradox. He explained that while the 36-gun match is a significant cultural and astrological milestone, it is fundamentally a measure of basic compatibility based on planetary positions at birth. It does not, and cannot, account for the dynamic human elements that constitute a day-to-day relationship.
Sinha emphasized that the 36 gunas assessed in Kundali Milan cover aspects like mental temperament, health, and prosperity. However, they fall short of measuring the core pillars of a modern marriage: emotional intelligence, conflict resolution styles, personal values, life goals, and the ability to adapt and grow together. A couple can be astrologically aligned but emotionally and intellectually incompatible.
The Real Pillars of a Successful Marriage
The conversation shifted from astrological charts to practical psychology. Pawan Sinha highlighted several critical factors that often outweigh even the most perfect Kundali match.
Personality and Communication: Astrology may indicate general tendencies, but it cannot predict how two individuals will communicate during stress, express love, or handle financial disagreements. Effective communication and aligned personalities are skills built over time, not granted by planetary conjunctions.
Evolving Life Goals: People change. Careers shift, personal ambitions evolve, and worldviews transform. A marriage that does not have the flexibility and mutual support to accommodate this growth can fracture, regardless of the initial gun milan score.
Real-Life Compatibility: This encompasses everything from shared interests and financial habits to parenting styles and relationship with extended families. These practical, ground-level compatibilities are the bedrock of daily life, an area where a Kundali offers limited insight.
Astrology as a Guide, Not a Guarantee
Pawan Sinha's perspective offers a balanced, modern take. He does not dismiss Kundali Milan outright but reframes its utility. He suggests that astrology should be viewed as a guiding framework rather than an absolute predictor. It can point to potential areas of strength or challenge, but it is the couple's responsibility to actively work on their relationship.
The key takeaway is that a 36-gun match is a good starting point, but it is not the finish line. Building a lasting marriage requires conscious effort, empathy, continuous dialogue, and a commitment to weathering real-life challenges together—tools that are not found in any astrological chart.
This discussion ultimately demystifies the process, urging families and couples to place equal, if not greater, importance on interpersonal understanding and practical compatibility checks alongside traditional astrological practices for a truly harmonious marriage.