Which parts of the chart are used to read marriage?

The 7th bhava is the primary house of marriage and partnership. Its lord shows the shape of the spouse and the kind of bond likely to form. Venus (Shukra) is the natural indicator for a man's marriage and love, and Jupiter (Guru) for a woman's. The Navamsa (D9) chart is read alongside the main chart because it sharpens marriage details and timing. The 2nd bhava (family), 4th (home life), and 8th (longevity of the bond) also matter.

Can the chart predict when marriage will happen?

Not to the date. It can point to windows where a marriage is more likely — typically when the 7th lord, Venus or Jupiter, or the 2nd or 11th lord become active in Mahadasha or Antardasha, especially with supportive transits over the 7th house or Navamsa lagna. The quality of the window matters more than the exact month. Forcing a match outside a supportive window rarely saves time in the long run.

What does a chart say about the spouse?

A reading can reasonably describe the likely temperament, background, and way the spouse enters life — through family introduction, workplace, study, or more independently. It can also flag how the two people are likely to handle responsibility, money, and family. It cannot tell you a name, appearance, or guarantee a specific person. Anyone promising that level of detail is overselling.

What is Mangal Dosha and does it really block marriage?

Mangal Dosha (also called Kuja Dosha) is Mars placed in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, or 12th bhava from the Ascendant, Moon, or Venus. It is traditionally read as Mars adding heat, friction, or assertion to the marriage area. It is not a sentence of failure, and it is often cancelled by other factors (Mars in its own sign, matching dosha in the partner's chart, or favourable aspects). Most modern Jyotish practice treats it as one signal among many, not a blocker.

How reliable is Guna Milan (Ashtakoot matching) on its own?

Guna Milan gives a quick 36-point compatibility score based on both people's Moon nakshatras. It is a useful first filter but it is not a full compatibility reading. A proper match should also compare the 7th bhava, 7th lord, Navamsa, Venus/Jupiter placements, and dasha timing on both sides. Two people can score well on Guna Milan and still have difficult dasha overlaps — or score low and still have a stable marriage for other reasons.