Vedic Astrology pays great importance to relationships specially marriage and there are many techniques for compatibility. Traditionally in India, the parents arranged marriages. One of the most important factors which, helped in making the marriages successful was the comparing of the birth charts of couple by the family astrologer. Marriage could only go ahead after the astrologers was satisfied with the compatibility and could let the parents know that there couple would be happy together. This practice of matching of charts is still very prevalent in India. The Kuta system has a complicated set of rules that matches the charts on sexual, spiritual and emotional level. It has twelve points of matching between two charts. The birth chart gives clues to every aspect of compatibility between the couple.

In the West, we seldom look at a birth chart of a person we are falling in love with. Compatibility is usually looked at later stages of the relationships. The Kutas can become a guide to develop the relationship further. Do not worry if you have a low score on the Kutas. Often low scoring relationships can last longer than the high scoring ones as there is karma to be worked out.

The essence of compatibility is how it works under pressure. We can love well in perfect conditions but when we face challenges our compatibility ratio comes into play. Good compatibility usually gives happiness. The length of relationship has usually nothing to do with compatibility. Many people choose to live in an unhappy relationship, knowing they have nothing in common.

In my book Vedic Love Signs, I have given compatibility for all nakshatras. This book is especially useful if you are not a student of Vedic Astrology. This book is available form all major online stores.

The Importance of the Woman’s Happiness

Vedic compatibility is always done from the woman’s point of view. Indians believe that for a long and happy marriage or relationship, the nurturing of the woman is very important as she forms the strength in a relationship. She is Shakti or the divine female power. Traditionally women were honoured and looked after to ensure their happiness. In modern context, it is the dissatisfaction of the women in relationships that is leading to the disruption of many relationships. The modern man should honour his woman as a wife, mother and lover. The women in the 21st century are much more dynamic than their traditional counterparts. But some of this ancient wisdom applied to the modern relationship and the honouring of the female instinct by both men and women would go a long way to providing happiness.

When we relate to our karma, we realise that this birth is only a small part of the whole, because this life is only one of a multitude of lives. The whole is like a necklace. Each lifetime is one pearl but all the pearls have to be strung together to make the necklace. In different life times we form contacts and relationships. Some relationships get completed but some remain unfinished. These unfinished relationships form part of our relationship Karma. The soul remembers. When we meet the soul of loved ones from the past, there is an instant connection. How often you have met someone to whom you are instantly attracted.

Rnanu Bandhana or Karmic Ties

Rnanu means debt and Bandhana means ties. This word is usually used for karmic ties that hold us together. Only those ties have an impact on this life which have some debts- in this case the word debt is meant as unfinished business. Before the soul is born it makes a decision on what relationships are going to mature in this lifetime and with whom it is going to pay off its karmic debts. At the time of birth, when the umbilical cord is cut, the mind forgets this but retains it in the subconscious. When we meet someone with whom we have a rnanu bandhana to work out, the inter-action begins immediately. But with those who you have completed your karma- there is an instant recognition but nothing develops from it. It is important to let go of these relationships. They create unnecessary confusion emotionally. Also some relationships are not matured, the time to pay off that debt has not arrived as yet. Again those relationships do not develop.

What type of relationship you experience depends on the karmic equation? When you fall in love, how this relationship works out depends on what your mutual rnanu bandhana is. If you have greater debts to pay, you will be the one who is putting more into the relationship. Sometimes you are stuck in a very one- sided situation and wonder why you are still in. In an unfinished relationship of past life where you were the taker, when your souls meet again you need to balance this equation, so this time around it is you who become the giver or vice versa.

In sexual relationships also the concept of rnanu bandhana is important. If you are in a relationship and your sexual relationship suddenly stops or the sexual attraction suddenly dies. The karma of sex may have been completed. Or you have a purely sexual relationship- then you had already worked out the other aspects of the relationship.

The 7th House and the 7th house ruler
Any planet, benefic or malefic are not good in the 7th house. Sun creates too much fire, Mars- passion, anger, Moon- emotions, Saturn- detachment, Rahu- dissatisfaction, Ketu- loss or rejection, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter give multiple relationships. Here you have to look at this aspect from a more western point of view. Most of us have relationships before we settle down to a commitment . More than one relationship indicated in your chart may not be a negative factor for you.
7th house ruler and it’s placement with the malefics - Saturn, Mars, Sun, Rahu and Ketu can create challenges within your relationships.

Rahu Ketu in the 1st 7th axis churn up the issues related to yourself and partnerships. As they work on the psychological level, the nodes can create obstacles in your mind. Rahu in the 7th usually makes you dissatisfied with your relationships. It can lead to multiple relationships. Ketu in the 7th will create a feeling of rejection . You may reject relationships or get involved in relationships which reject you.
Ketu conjunct Venus specially indicates you are working out some past life issues through your marriage or relationships. For men, it can mean women who bring some personal baggage into your relationship.
Any conjunctions of Jupiter with the nodal axis will create some kind of difficulty within the relationship. Rahu signifies foreigners, so it could also indicate a attraction to those who are foreign to you.