Hinduism and Polygamy: Hindu view on Polygamy

By www. hinduwebsite.com

Hinduism and Polygamy: Hindu view on Polygamy

Polygamy and polyandry were prevalent In ancient India, but it is doubtful whether they were ever popular in the public opinion. It was practiced mostly by the warrior castes and rich merchants. Many Hindu gods are also depicted as polygamous, with two or more wives. The goddesses are not actually wives in the physical sense but pure universal energies who assist their gods to maintain dharma (good order) in the universe. They do not possess physical bodies, though they can appear in human form if they want to. Present day Hindus consider both polygamy and polyandry primitive and archaic, remnants of an old society that still haunt the lives of a few unfortunate victims. In India Hindus acknowledge polygamy as both illegal and immoral. 

If we study the history of ancient India, we realize that polygamy and polyandry were practiced by the rich and the powerful, while the sages and seers were strictly monogamous or completely celibate. We also notice that whether it was in the past or in the present, polygamy was never a popular practice in the public opinion.

Hinduism does not favor Polygamy

Hindu scriptures describe the family as a social institution, and at the same time as an integral part of this illusory world. In the ultimate sense the institution family is meant to keep each individual chained to the world of illusion. The relationships in the family are meant to develop attachment, selfishness and desires. In the end these relationships really do not last and each individual in it is left to himself.

Hinduism therefore rightly describes the family as an illusion (samsara maya). A family is a coming together of different souls, each having his or her own distinct spiritual agenda and final destiny. Some relationships may last for some lives, but they would not stay for ever. On the cosmic scale each soul has to tread its own path and find its own salvation. The family relationships are in a way a great distraction, because they develop attachment and delay the liberation of the of the soul. What is true and what makes life meaningful is our relationship with God, because in the real sense the hidden self is nothing but God only. Hinduism therefore exhorts every individual to be wary of the illusory nature of the family and develop an divine oriented attitude while performing their obligatory duties as a sacrifice to God.

If family itself is an instrument of maya, polygamy makes it more difficult for an individual to break out of his illusions. Spiritually therefore polygamy is least desirable option for an individual to pursue. 

Courtesy to www. hinduwebsite.com

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