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260
Lord Mahavira and His Times
Majjhima-Nikaya states that the relatives of a woman, who did not like her husband, intended to separate her from him and to unite her with another person.1 A Jātaka relates the story of princess Phusati of Madra, who wanted to get rid of her ugly husband Kansa (the Bodhisattva) of Kuśāvatī and to marry another prince who was handsome, according to her wishes.2 Family and local traditions also played an important part in controlling this custom. A Jataka story shows that in spite of the absence of any deep-rooted love for the husband the wife did not exercise her right of divorcing him, but preferred to remain in her uncomfortable condition.3 It is said that a Brāhmaṇa who was asked, whether he would keep or abandon his wife found guilty of adultery, expressed his view against deserting her and remarrying.1
POLYGAMY AND MONOGAMY
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Generally monogamy was followed by the vast majority of the people, but polygamy was a fashion among the rich and ruling sections of the society. The kings and princes considered it a privilege to have a crowded harem. In the Jātakas, most of the princes have been described as polygamous.5 Kings like Bimbisāra, Prasenajit, Udayana, and Ajātaśatru were all polygamous. The rich house-holder of Rajagṛiha, Mahāsayaga, had thirteen wives. The Raṭṭhapala-Sutta describes Ratthapāla, the son of a Brāhmaṇa, Grihapati, as having several wives. In the Anguttara-Nikaya, a wealthy and happy householder is described as being waited upon by four wives with all their charms. The Therigāthā tells us that Isidasi in her former birth was married to a merchant's son who had already another wife. The Paraskara Gṛihyasutra states that a Brāhmaṇa should have three wives, a Kshatriya two and a Vaiśya one, besides one Śūdra wife to all.10
1. Majjh, II. 109.
2. Ja, No 531 (Kusa Jā).
3. Ibid, IV. 35.
4. Ibid III. 351.
5. The Chullasutasoma Jātaka (Jā, V, 178).
Suruchi Jataka (Ja, IV. 316).
6. Uva, p. 152.
7. Majjh, II. 63.
9. Angu.
8. Therīgatha, 446. 10. Pa. G.S, 1. 4. 8-11.
