What's the difference between Vedic and Western astrology?
Vedic (Jyotish) uses the sidereal zodiac fixed to the actual constellations and tracks the Moon and 27 nakshatras for predictive timing through dasha systems. Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac tied to the seasons and emphasises the Sun sign and psychological interpretation. The two systems can place the same person about 23–24 degrees apart in zodiac sign as of 2026 — the ayanamsa correction.
Natal chart match — sidereal or tropical?
If you grew up reading Sun-sign columns, you've seen tropical (Western) charts. If you're checking marriage compatibility in an Indian context — Ashtakoot guna milan, Mangal dosha, Nadi — you want the sidereal Vedic chart. Devbhakt's free kundli generator uses Lahiri ayanamsa (the standard in India) over Swiss Ephemeris for astronomy-grade precision.
Astrology compatibility: Ashtakoot vs synastry
Vedic kundli matching scores 36 gunas across eight kootas (Varna, Vashya, Tara, Yoni, Graha Maitri, Gana, Bhakoot, Nadi). 18+ is considered acceptable, 24+ excellent. Western synastry compares planet-to-planet aspects (conjunction, trine, square) between two charts. Synastry reads chemistry; Ashtakoot reads long-term marital harmony.
Which should you use?
Use Vedic for marriage decisions, muhurat selection, dasha timing, and life-event predictions rooted in Sanatan Dharma. Use Western for personality archetype and psychological self-understanding. Many modern astrologers consult both. Devbhakt focuses on Vedic because that's the system Hindu families actually use for kundli, milan and panchang.
How accurate is online kundli matching?
Accuracy depends on three things: exact birth time (within 4 minutes ideally), birth location coordinates, and the ayanamsa used. Devbhakt asks for all three and uses Swiss Ephemeris with Lahiri ayanamsa — the same engine professional Vedic astrologers use offline.
Try Devbhakt's free Vedic tools
Generate your Vedic kundli, check Ashtakoot compatibility, and read today's panchang — all free, all powered by Swiss Ephemeris.