History of Monogamy

Monogamy is as old as Adam. From the beginning, through the generations,even to this day, monogamy, polygamy and celibacy are known forms of marriage.

The word monogamy comes from the Greek 'monos' which means Alone and 'gamos' which means marriage. Basically, Monogamy is a form of marriage when one man only marries one woman.

Historical Background of Monogamy:

The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 strictly prohibits the Hindus to practice polygamy and made legalized monogamy is the law and practice of the Hindu society.

Ever since the Vedic times in India, monogamy has been the most dominant form of marriage being practiced by the Hindus. Every man and woman are expected to remain faithful towards their partner. Vatsyayana, an authority on “Kama-sutra”, remarked: “At best a man can only please one woman physically, mentally and spiritually.”
Most of the Hindu shastrakaras including Manu recommended monogamy as the best form of marriage. The great epic Ramayana highlights the character of Sri Ramachandra, the hero of Ramayana, as the champion of ekapatnivratashta (ardent follower of monogamous marriage).

              
The gradual evolution of the present practice of monogamy is reflected in the Mahabharata, in which the great patriarch Bheeshma divides the evolution of the institution of monogamous marriage into four stages which he associates with the four Yugas in which the Rigveda has divided Aryan Man's development. According to Bheeshma during the Kritayuga, there existed marriage by Samakalpaa (promiscuity) during the next age the there was marriage by Samasparsha (group marriage) in the following yuga the marriage form was termed Maithuna (restricted marriage which included marriage within a Gotra which is endogamy) and finally in Kaliyuga we have Dwanda (monogamous marriage).

The practice of Swayamvara itself seems to be a carry-over of the days of group marriage when men and women assembled together and selected their partner who was to be their companion for a brief period. In later days (i.e in Kaliyuga) when monogamy (i.e Dwanda) became the established practice, the custom of selecting one's partner continued but now the choice made was a lifetime one. That monogamy (Dwanda) is associated with Kaliyuga is itself eloquent. Kaliyuga is identified as the age when man is immobile and prostrate, implying that he has reached a settled civilized stage

According to Jesus Christ monogamy was a primordial will of the Creator described in the Book of Genesis 'a man and woman by their nature are each ready to be a beautifying, total and personal gift to one another' .

The Hindu shastrakaras have permitted bigamy and polygyny under some conditions but never recommended them as the best ones. It can also be said that among the higher castes monogamy prevailed, the ideal of having only one wife [ekapatnivrata] being as old as the Ramayana.
Prior to the passing of The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, other forms of marriage also prevailed among the Hindus. But after 1955, due to the relative stringent enforcement of the Act only monogamy prevails among majority of the Hindus.
Monogamy gives, what can be best called the family protection to the old and invalid, to the grown up and growing children, and makes for family stability and equilibrium. Monogamy lay solid foundation for a prosperous, happy, and stable family. The children grow in an atmosphere of love and harmony.