The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c8.102

c8.102

We shall conclude this chapter with a few words on polyandry in ancient India. This custom was practically unknown to Hindu society. In the Vedic marriage hymn Sūryā is married to Aśvins; the latter, however, are not two persons but a twin deity. It is also true that there are some passages in Vedic literature where the wife is mentioned in connection with husbands in plural. The plurals in these cases are, however, either generic or used *majestatis causa*¹. In later Vedic literature it is pointed out in several places how polyandry is not permissible, though polygamy is legal². Smṛitis nowhere contemplate the possibility of polyandry, when they discuss the rules of marriage.