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Therefore, there are several wives for one man, but not several husbands for a woman simultaneously - Aitareya Brahmana III. 3.

So this verse supports polygamy.

Can someone now marry more than one woman, is it allowed.

See I am not asking about legal or illegal.

But I am asking, if someone marry 3 women will it is bad karma, will he be sinful for this.

Will he cause adhram in the land.


What is the explanation for Aitareya Brahmana III. 3

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    Why will it be bad karma if it is sanctioned in scriptures? Apr 8, 2021 at 11:23
  • @Carmensandiego I don't know why is will be bad karma. But some people say this. Marrying more than one women is wrong Apr 8, 2021 at 11:35
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    One has to abide by rules laid down in shastras when it comes to multiple wives. In any case it is kind of moot given that state considers it to be an illegal act Apr 8, 2021 at 11:44

2 Answers 2

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Polygamy, polyandry and monogamy occur in accordance with societal rules. These are customs and traditions. No karma is involved in any of these practices. At present Hindu society does not accept polygamy and polyandry and these practices have also been made illegal. Smriti texts also advise discarding of customs and traditions which arouse indignation.

However, discard the desire (kama) and material wealth (artha) if contrary to Dharma; as also, any usage or custom or rules regarded as source of Dharma if at any time they were to lead to unhappiness or arouse people's indignation.

Manu Smriti 4.176

So can one (Hindu) marry more than one woman now?

The answer is yes if one has divorced prior to the second marriage. The answer is no if one wants to marry while one is still married. Any attempt to marry a second woman while one's wife is still around would attract legal penalties and the second marriage will not be legal.

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    Who polyandry is allowed. Vedas do not accept polyandry look at the verse, "Therefore, there are several wives for one man, but not several husbands for a woman simultaneously - Aitareya Brahmana III. 3" . Vedas are clear about it. Apr 8, 2021 at 13:31
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    You seem to have forgotten about Draupadi. Apr 8, 2021 at 13:35
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    Well mythology or itihasa, Draupadi is an example of polyandry. Accepting Vedas does not mean accepting everything in the Vedas. Apr 8, 2021 at 13:48
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    PradipGangopadhyay - Draupadi was born literally from fire. She is combination of pancha-shakti. She would do agni-pravesh before going to live with each of the Pandavas. If any woman wants to bathe in fire, then she can have multiple husbands. Don't equate deva avatars with common humans - you should know this by now. @DarkKnight
    – mar
    Apr 8, 2021 at 16:58
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    @DarkKnight - who cares about my thoughts. scriptures say it is not allowed. Draupadi didn't flaunt that rule inspite of having 5 husbands, because she would get a purified body each time. It's no different from someone having a husband in this life, dying, body gets burnt, getting a new life, new body and a new husband. that's not polyandry.
    – mar
    Apr 8, 2021 at 17:04
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There are several husband and several wives

As long as their is truce and the condition for such marriage is acceptable by both parties, and the subsequent others. This choice is for the humans to make , we have that liberty, the modern society especially that of india is very punishing to those who believe in personal liberty, meanwhile these liberty are give to us by very gods and the chetna and budhhi that we have

As far as karma is considered, A- NO, a bad karma would be if someone would be hurt by that said marraige, if there is agreed conscious couple marrying after taking the agreement of the other person, it is justified. The other parties do play a role in it. Subhadra also had to be accepted by Draupadi .

So yes, it's acceptable, but norms in this yuga, especially of current society are not as moderate for those principles and the ruling govt often regulate private choices .

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  • "There are several husband and several wives" this controdicts vedas Aitareya Brahmana III. 3. Apr 8, 2021 at 12:10
  • the shruti texts are always taken more seriously then smriti
    – vince
    Apr 8, 2021 at 12:16
  • but ekpatnivrata vrat exists only when polygomy and other concepts do, there are many calling it perfectly ok to marry more than one , many who have married more than one have't lost the brahmana status. Taking whats written too seriously is not aplicable in all conditions, especially when modern vedas were penned down in past kalyuga
    – vince
    Apr 8, 2021 at 12:17

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