16 Jun 2025
1a. Is it right that some holy scripture suggests a man can have multiple wives by marrying widowed or divorced or those left by their partners?
[Shri Hrushikesh asked: I read an article on multiple marriages and their importance in the holy scriptures of some religions. This article says that a man can have multiple marriages, have multiple wives and get married to those women who have been widowed or divorced or left by the partner. Is this a right?]
Swami replied:- Ethical scripture says that even a married woman can remarry in five situations (Patiranyo vidhīyate). Either Pravrutti or Nivrutti does not differentiate the souls based on caste, gender, region etc.
b. Why is it wrong if a married man has secret multiple marriages with widowed women or divorced females?
[Why is it wrong if an already married man has secret multiple marriages with widowed women or divorced females? This marriage might help in supporting the financial and physical needs of such underprivileged women and their existing children from the previous marriage?]
Swami replied:- Everything is okay provided the male also thinks in the same way placing himself in the position of his wife. Sita said to Ravana that he should place himself in the place of Rama and think about the justice. It means that if Rama or some other person kidnaps the wife of Ravana, what will be the pain of Ravana? (Ātmāna mupamāṃ kṛtvā… - Valmiki Ramayanam)
c. Is expecting a variety in the relationships wrong?
[These marriages might also help the man in giving the variation in the relationships having multiple wives. Because being with the same person always creates boredom? A variation having multiple wives helps in killing boredom. Is expecting such a variety wrong? As it is a win-win situation for both man and women in different ways, isn't it?]
Swami replied:- The above answer is the answer for this question also.
d. Will such man still be punished for having multiple marriages as his self-pleasure is also involved in having multiple marriages, which were done in secrecy?
Swami replied:- There should be a justified situation for the re-marriage for a man or woman. The ethical scripture mentioned such justified situations and the soul shall follow the scripture in this point.
e. When there are such above said benefits, why are multiple marriages not accepted? Why is such idea not advised?
Swami replied:- The scriptures already listed the justified situations in which re-marriage can be accepted. The above situation mentioned by you is not in the scripture. Justice must be given by the judge (scripture) and not by the arguing party (yourself). The modern society is already running on the line, which is suggested by you!
2. Is it a sin if same sex couple marry, adopt an orphaned child and take care of the child acting as parents?
[It is said that same sex marriage is a big sin as there is no possibility of producing children. In case if same sex couple get married and adopt an orphaned child and take care of the child acting as parents? Is this marriage still considered a sin?]
Swami replied:- There are several married couples not having children. They can do that what is said by you. Why do you snatch such good opportunity from such unfortunate couples? When you can get very good food from vegetables, why do you kill innocent animals for food?
3. Is gender change a sin?
[Is gender change a sin? There are some people transforming their gender from Male to female and producing children. Is such an act considered a sin? If it is a sin, kindly elaborate the reason to tag this under the category of sin?]
Swami replied:- For producing children, what is the necessity to change the gender? If there is any health problem to produce children, such problem can be solved by Gynecology or Urology. The gender can be changed if there is a serious problem to life. If such serious problem can be removed by changing gender, gender change is okay.
4. Can You help me with a logic that helps to differentiate between the justice and injustice?
[Because of my incapability, I am struggling to differentiate between justice and injustice in many situations of life. Can You help me with a logic that can be applied to differentiate between these two and follow the justified path? What is the perfect definition of these two terms, kindly explain. At Your Divine Lotus Feet, Hrushikesh]
Swami replied:- Helping good people is justice. Harming bad people is also justice. Similarly, harming good people and helping bad people is injustice. If necessary, injustice can be condemned by using the path of injustice also since the end result is justice only.
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