What Are the 3 Ganas in Vedic Astrology and How Do They Affect Marriage Matching?

When two people marry, love is important but so is temperament. Some people handle conflict calmly, some negotiate everything, while others are fiery and direct. In Vedic astrology, this is where Gana comes in.

Each nakshatra belongs to a Gana, and your Gana shows your natural way of how you connect, argue, make up, and balance independence with togetherness. That’s why in Ashtakoota matching, Gana Koota is given weight. It helps answer a very real question: “Will our personalities fit well in daily married life?”

What are the 3 Ganas? #

Every nakshatra is grouped into one of three Ganas: Deva, Manushya, or Rakshasa. These don’t change as they’re fixed at birth. Each one points to a different relationship style.

Deva Gana (the harmony-seekers) #

• Gentle, kind, and cooperative.

• They prefer peace over conflict and often go out of their way to keep harmony.

• Their challenge: sometimes they suppress their own needs just to avoid arguments.

Manushya Gana (the practical partners) #

• Balanced, realistic, and people-oriented.

• They like to discuss, weigh pros and cons, and then decide what’s best.

• Their challenge: relationships may start to feel like a “business deal” if they forget to nurture romance.

Rakshasa Gana (the intense ones) #

• Strong-willed, passionate, and straightforward.

• They value honesty and don’t like pretence. What you see is what you get.

• Their challenge: their bluntness can sometimes come across as harsh or dominating.

How does Gana Koota work in Ashtakoota matching? #

• In the traditional 36-point system, Gana Koota contributes a portion of the total score used to gauge temperament compatibility.

• Same-Gana pairs usually score well because their emotional language matches.

• Cross-Gana pairs can still work when other kootas are strong and the charts show maturity and support.

Remember, a healthy match is never decided by one factor. Gana guides how two people handle closeness, space, and friction.

Which Gana pairs work well in marriage? #

• Deva + Deva

  Two peace-lovers. They listen, compromise, and keep things gentle. The only risk? Avoiding tough conversations to keep the peace.

• Deva + Manushya

  Usually a smooth pair. The Manushya partner brings practicality, while the Deva partner adds kindness. Together, they balance heart and mind well.

• Manushya + Manushya

  A solid, dependable team. They plan, divide responsibilities, and keep promises. But if they forget romance, love can start feeling too practical.

• Rakshasa + Rakshasa

  Intense and passionate. They admire each other’s strength and honesty. The challenge? Ego clashes can turn explosive if neither learns to calm down first.

• Deva + Rakshasa

  High chemistry but very different styles. Works best if both set clear boundaries and agree on how to handle conflicts.

• Manushya + Rakshasa

  It can be a strong partnership. Manushya brings balance, Rakshasa brings boldness. The only risk is one partner always giving in, which can build resentment.

When does a Gana mismatch really matter? #

Most mismatches can be managed with awareness. But astrologers take them more seriously if other stress factors also show up, like:

• A weak Moon → emotional ups and downs.

• Problems in the 7th house → direct marriage stress.

• Venus or Jupiter under pressure → love and support feel weaker.

• The Navamsa (D9 chart) repeats the same stress, which can lead to long-term issues.

If two or more of these appear along with a Gana mismatch, the couple needs to develop stronger communication habits, such as clear rules about money, family roles, how to argue fairly, and how much space versus closeness each person needs.

How do I use Gana practically while matching? #

Use Gana to set expectations and shape habits:

• If you’re Deva: speak needs clearly; don’t bottle up.

• If you’re Manushya: protect romance from becoming “ops and chores.”

• If you’re Rakshasa: lead with honesty and gentleness; practice cooling off before replying.

Then check the bigger picture: 7th house, Venus/Jupiter, Moon strength, and the D9. If those are supportive, Gana friction usually becomes manageable growth.

Do all nakshatras show Gana traits in the same way? #

Not exactly. Your Gana sets the base temperament, but the rest of your chart shapes how strongly it shows. For example:

• Two people may both be Rakshasa Gana, but one with a calm Moon and supportive Jupiter may come across steady and thoughtful.

• Another with a fiery Mars-Rahu mix may feel more intense and confrontational.

That’s why astrologers never judge a marriage only by Gana. It’s one layer of compatibility, not the full picture.

If our Ganas clash, should we avoid the match? #

No, not automatically. A Gana difference doesn’t mean a marriage can’t work. It just means you’ll need awareness and effort. Here’s a quick checklist to see if things balance out:

1. Do you both share the same vision for marriage, such as spending time together, prioritizing family values, and developing good financial habits?

2. Is the Moon in both charts strong and stable?

3. Are Venus and Jupiter well placed, showing love and goodwill?

4. Does the Navamsa (D9 chart) confirm long-term stability?

5. Can you both agree on fair conflict rules, such as mutual respect, taking healthy breaks, and returning to resolve issues?

If most of these answers are “yes,” then a Gana mismatch often turns into complementary balance instead of a problem.

How to check your Gana? #

Just enter your birth details in Vaya’s free Nakshatra tool to know your gana.

And if you want deeper insights into your relationship, you can use Vaya's free Kundli Matching tool or book a 1:1 consultation with a Vaya astrologer.