While it is true that failed marriages are often a result of a bad choice made in an emotional

state, it is also equally true that some horoscopes are simply fated to have bad and tragic
marriages. In these cases the other partner is cruelly snatched away by fate or lives an invalid’s
life; unable to perform the role desired. This happens because of some adverse placements of
Mars.
The position of Mars and Venus is very important in judging marital relations. Mars governs fire
and when badly placed, it extinguishes the marital fire very soon. Such a situation goes under the
name of Kuja or Mangal Dosha - Mars’s curse.
It must be said that in determining marriage compatibility between two persons there are several
factors of much more importance than Kuja Dosha alone. The complications arising from badly
posited Mars is only one of many elements that ruin a marriage.
Kerala Shastra, a venerable treatise on Vedic astrology mentions Kuja Dosha to be present when
Mars occupies 2nd, 4th, 7th ,8th and 12th houses. Such a Mars according to the Shastra is
capable of killing the other partner.
The Lagna(ascendant) represents body, the Moon mind and Venus sexual relations. Therefore
ideally Kuja Dosha should be reckoned from all three.
The second house represents family; the twelfth represents comforts of the bed and fourth rules
over Sukha or happiness of home. The 7th represents the husband or wife and 8th the longevity
of the spouse. The placement or influence of Mars on these houses is therefore considered to
produce this Dosha. There are of course many good planetary combinations, which assure
marital happiness, and an undue importance need not be given to Kuja Dosh.
Exceptions and stipulations
• Mars in 2nd house is bad provided it is occupied by a Sign other than Gemini or Virgo.
• Mars dosha due placement of Mars in the 12th house is cancelled provided that the sign
occupying the 12th house is other than Taurus or Libra.
• Mars dosha due placement of Mars in the 4th house is cancelled provided that the sign
occupying the 4th house is other than Taurus or Libra.
• For the 7th house exceptions are Capricorn and Cancer.
• For the 8th the exceptions are are Sagittarius and Pisces.
• The Dosha is counteracted by the conjunction of Mars and Jupiter, Mars and Moon and
by the presence of Venus or Jupiter in the Lagna (ascendant).
• If in the other chart Saturn is in 1,4,7,8,12 houses Kuja Dosha is cancelled.
• If any strong malefic planet (Saturn or Mars) is in the same house of the female chart in
which Mars is placed in the Male chart, Then Kuja Dosha is cancelled.
• If the Rasi lords are friends, Gunas are similar and are above 30, Kuja Dosha becomes
ineffective.
Thus it is clear that the Kuja Dosha does not deserve the importance it is getting presently. Other
factors in the chart greatly modify the scenario.