polygamy, monogamy, polyandry stance of Hinduism(in progression)



Monogamy is the ideal in Hinduism:-

The Apastamba Dharmasutra (II.5.11.12-13) declares that when a man has a wife who is endowed with dharma and progeny, he shall not marry another wife ; but if anyone of the two (dharma and progeny) is wanting (in the case of the wife), he may marry an other before he has consecrated thes acred srauta fires.

In another place Apastamba Dharmasutra.(I.10.28.19) prescribes that one who abandons his (faultless) wife should put on the skin of an ass with the hair outside and should beg for alms at seven houses for six months.

im Narada( stripumsa verse 95) recommends that the king should bring round to the proper path by inflicting heavy fines a husband who abandons a wife that is obedient, not harsh of tongue,vigilant(in household work), chaste and endowed with sons.

For example, the Cadi king Gangeyadeva alias Vikramaditya is said to have obtained mukti (salvation) at Prayaga with his hundred wives.
Source:- vide Jabalpur plate of Yasahkarnadeva dated 1122A.D.in E.I.vol.II.p.4 and the Khaira plates of the same king in E.I.vol.XII.p.205).

It is also why shAstra recommends polygamy for wise men. Because they have no kAma and a husband is like an AchArya - the more wives, the more attain moksha with him.

In contrast, polyandry is discouraged for the same reason. If a woman marries more than one man, it is possible that her husband's may be following different sAdhanAs which may clash with each other. Thus, her own sAdhana will not bear fruit.

draupadI was the exception of course Thus, monogamy is preferred if the man is not a proficient upAsaka. Still, some kshatriyAs like dasharatha and pANDu married more than one wife due to kAma - it is not recommended. But they were virtuous enough otherwise to fetch sat-gati for their wives.


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