Polygamy in Sikhism

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Polygamy(Hi: बहुविवाह) is a Marriage which includes more than two partners contains two forms base on relationship:

  • When a Man is married to more than one wife at a time, the relationship is called Polygyny.
  • When a Woman is married to more than one husband at a time, it is called Polyandry.

Sikh religion born in Indian Subcontinent where polygamy was practiced in many sections of Indian society in ancient and Medieval times, but it is now days it is considered as Immoral. As per Hindu Marriage Act, Polygamy in any form is illegal, as Sikhs are also part of same act which turns illegal for Indian Sikhs too including Jains, Hindus and Buddhists opposite to Sharia Law of Muslims.

Guru Granth Sahib stresses and preach the significance Family life (called Grehsiti Jiwan), but does not explicitly mentioned to practice polygamy or not and guides what a good marriage relationship is.

ਧਨ ਪਿਰੁ ਏਹਿ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਨਿ ਬਹਨਿ ਇਕਠੇ ਹੋਇ ॥
They are not said to be husband and wife, who merely sit together.
ਏਕ ਜੋਤਿ ਦੁਇ ਮੂਰਤੀ ਧਨ ਪਿਰੁ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੋਇ ॥੩॥
They alone are called husband and wife, who have one light in two bodies.



As per Gurbani, Pleasures of Lakhs of woman is not equal to that of wisdom given by True Guru:

ਜੇ ਲਖ ਇਸਤਰੀਆ ਭੋਗ ਕਰਹਿ ਨਵ ਖੰਡ ਰਾਜੁ ਕਮਾਹਿ ॥
You may enjoy the pleasures of hundreds of thousands of women, and rule the nine continents of the world.
ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਗੁਰ ਸੁਖੁ ਨ ਪਾਵਈ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਜੋਨੀ ਪਾਹਿ ॥੩॥
But without the True Guru, you will not find peace; you will be reincarnated over and over again. ||3||



As per Gurbani, a Sikh should remain detached even in house hold and Family. At many places Gurbani guides and signalling us not to attach yourself with worldly affairs:

ਦਾਸਨਿ ਦਾਸ ਨਿਤ ਹੋਵਹਿ ਦਾਸੁ ॥
They become the constant slaves of the slaves of the Lord's slaves.
ਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਕੁਟੰਬ ਮਹਿ ਸਦਾ ਉਦਾਸੁ ॥੨॥
Within their households and families, they remain always detached. ||2|

ਦੇਖਿ ਕੁਟੰਬੁ ਮੋਹਿ ਲੋਭਾਣਾ ਚਲਦਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥
Gazing upon their families, people are lured and trapped by emotional attachment, but none will go along with them in the end.
ਸਤਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਿ ਗੁਣ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਤਿਸ ਦੀ ਕੀਮ ਨ ਪਾਈ ॥
Serving the True Guru, one finds the Lord, the Treasure of Excellence. His Value cannot be estimated.

ਪੁਤਾ ਦੇਖਿ ਵਿਗਸੀਐ ਨਾਰੀ ਸੇਜ ਭਤਾਰ ॥
The husband is delighted seeing his sons, and his wife upon his bed.
ਚੋਆ ਚੰਦਨੁ ਲਾਈਐ ਕਾਪੜੁ ਰੂਪੁ ਸੀਗਾਰੁ ॥
He applies sandalwood and scented oils, and dresses himself in his beautiful clothes.
ਖੇਹੂ ਖੇਹ ਰਲਾਈਐ ਛੋਡਿ ਚਲੈ ਘਰ ਬਾਰੁ ॥੫॥
But dust shall mix with dust, and he shall depart, leaving hearth and home behind. ||5||

Vaars - Bhai Gurdas ji

ਏਕਾ ਨਾਰੀ ਜਤੀ ਹੋਇ ਪਰ ਨਾਰੀ ਧੀ ਭੈਣ ਵਖਾਣੈ।
Aykaa Naaree Jatee Hoi Par Naaree Dhee Bhain Vakhaanai.
Having one women as wife he (the Sikh) is a celebate and considers any other's wife
as his daughter or a sister.


ਹਉ ਤਿਸੁ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਇਆ ਪਰ ਨਾਰੀ ਦੇ ਨੇੜਿ ਨ ਜਾਵੈ।
Hau Tisu Gholi Ghoumaaiaa Par Naaree Day Nayrhi N Jaavai.
I love him deeply who does not go near another’s wife.


ਦੁਹ ਨਾਰੀ ਦਾ ਦੂਲਹਾ ਦੁਹ ਮੁਨਸਾ ਦੀ ਨਾਰਿ ਵਿਣਸੈ।
Duh Naaree Daa Valahaa Duhu Mounasaa Dee Naari Vinasai.
Husband of two women and the wife of two husbands are bound to perish;


ਨਕੁ ਕੰਨੁ ਫੜਿ ਵਢੀਐ ਰਾਵੈ ਪਰਨਾਰੀ।
Naku Kannu Dharhi Vaddheeai Raavai Par Naaree.
The ears and nose are chopped off the man who ravishes another's wife.