Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

I heard at least of one person who was promoting it.

Even if allowed by law, for a Kali yuga man its largely unfeasible since to maintain a family with one wife is a great achievement (see SB 12.2.6).

few example quotes:

"I have received your letter of 1/24/73 concerning polygamy and feel that this policy must be strictly prohibited within our society. If it is not it shall only cause chaos, as what was possible under the system of pure Vedic Culture is impossible at the present time." (Letter to Karandhara, Melbourne 10 February 1973)

"First let us understand that polygamy cannot be permitted in our society. Legally it is impossible and neither are there many of our devotees who are prepared to assume the responsibility for many wives. Therefore as I have suggested previously as they do in Christian religion they have so many convent where the women stay and they receive protection. The point is that the women must be protected and it is the duties of the leaders of our society to see that this is carried out." (Letter to Satsvarupa, Melbourne 10 February 1973)

"After conferring with my various GBC representatives I have concluded that polygamy must be strictly prohibited in our society. Although it is a Vedic institution still there are so many legal implications. Neither are many of our men fixed up enough to tend for more than one wife. Polygamy will simply increase the sex life and our philosophy is to gradually decrease the sex life till eventually there is no sex life." (Letter to Rupanuga, Sydney 14 February 1973)

"In reference to Gaurasundara dasa, who now has two wives, Prabhupada said that in principle we do not object to polygamy, but those who choose this are not to live as part of our ISKCON society." (Transc. Diary Vol 2, 2-4 Honolulu, May 16, 1976)

is someone actually practicing or wanting to practice polygamy in iskcon???

polygamy is ok but men nowadays are emasculated weaklings and incapable of maintaining even one wife properly without divorce.

If you have wealth ,strong financial stability and are blessed with a first wife whom sanctions the seconf wife ....what is the problem?Srila Prabhupada made one of the punja-brothers GBC for life in fiji.The family were extremely wealthy,one of the brothers had two sisters whom he had married.No one bothered or worried about it....even there ownership of super markets selling beef and all manner of alcoholis beverages....was not considered so important by Srila Prabhupada.He still sanctioned there financial and expert management of the local iskcon society.
So obviously there is limitations ,especially when you struggle to have a pot to pee in. However according to ones individual capacity,the rules can and are different in many cases. If you have a mansion by the sea and laxsmi blesses your utilisation of using everything in the service of krishna ,such things are subsidary opulences.....whats the problem?

Ummm did you guys not read Srila Prabhupadas quotes by Veda (second post from the top), even when Srila Prabupada specifically says no to the word Polygamy there are those that will argue.."So whats the problem?" No wonder Iskcon is in such dis-array. Srila Prabhupada says No and they say.."Come on whats the problem"

Yuga Avatar d. (aka Jay_Govinda_das bhakti das in this case) seems to take that position, which is contrary to direct instructions of Prabhupada. There others who did that as well, I am sure the case of Vasudeva is an exception rather than a rule, he fulfilled all other requirements in these quotes and was married before he joined.

http://www.16108.com/dharma/index.htm

great resource on polygamy.It seems that Srila Prabhupadas last instructions were in favor of polygamy.