Alvin: Aap ke shub charnon mein pranaam guruji, Actually this question has been asked several times on this website and I also have searched for the answer, but as yet it is still unclear to me. I hope you can clarify in some detail please.
The question is about Raja Dashrath and his Three wives.
In the past you have said and I quote:-
“King Dashrath was a learned of Vedas, his spiritual master Vasishth Muniji, who was philosopher of vedas and Yoga Philosophy lived along with King Dashrath, so there was no doubt that three marriages of King Dashrath were performed in consultation with Guru Vasishthji. So, being Rajrishi, king Dashrath could marry.”
You have also said we sometimes ask question “we are not entitled to, because we have not studied Vedas.” I hope I can be entitled to the answer, please.
Thinking all about the above:-
A) Is there a special Vedic Principle, that would allow a Rajrishi to marry to more then one wife or it is the same for all men and that is to marry one wife only? What is the vedic shloka for this ?
B) IF the Vedic principle is the same for all men (i.e. one wife only), then how is it that Vasishth Muni a Master of the Vedas can give an instruction that is not as per Vedas ? Similarly how can Raja Dashrath being a learned of the Vedas accept this instruction from his guruji? It does not make sense to me.
C) This cannot be a case of Niyog, as there is no marriage involved. And there is no widow. So this cannot be applicable in this case.
D) If a person, comes into this dilemma, where he has to choose between his Guru’s instruction and his Sanatan Vedic dharam principles, what should he/she choose ? Is the Vedic principles greater then guru?
E) Please clarify how Dashrath, who is a Rajrishi is allowed to marry to 3 wives, whereas Ram , who became Raja after 14 years banwaas, and would then also be rajrishi (after raja ceremony), but only had one wife. Would Ram be allowed 3 wives under some special reason and with guru Vasisth consultation? If yes, then what is that special case/reason..?
If a person or person’s come in between (hinderance)to a person’s journey into the Vedas culture, how should the Vedic Aspirant handle this ? What if the people coming between are parents ? Does the Aspirant choose Vedic culture over parents(his devta’s) which would then break the fundamental Vedic sanskar of Devta pooja of his parents anyway ?
Bahaut Dhanaywaad Guruji. Pranaam.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you.
It is very clear view that a student in school, college or university are taught and accordingly they study their course books. Now, those students, who in class, while listening to the lecture of teacher, are unable to understand the lecture are told to put their problems/questions before their teachers. If students have not been taught and they’ve not read their book, they cannot put question before teacher.
Arjun had been listening and studying Vedas from Rishi-munis and when he could not think over his responsibility to take part in religious war of Mahabharat, he put forth questions to Yogeshwar Sri Krishna Maharaj. During the exile period, Yudhishthir, who was learned of Vedas, was asked some questions by Yaksha, based on his (Yudhishthir’s) capability.
In four Vedas also, questions are put and answers given accordingly. In Upnishad also the said eternal tradition has been followed. For example- In Prashnopnishad Sukesha, Satyakaam, Sauryayanni, Ashwalayan, Bhargava and Kabandi went to Maharishi Piplad to put question before him to clarify their spiritual doubts. In return, Piplad Rishi told them that you are tapasvis and have already studied Vedas by maintaining Brahamcharya. Yet, you stay in my ashram observing Brahamcharya while doing Tapasya.
Thereafter only, you can put questions before me, as per your discretion. The above quoted six aspirants obeyed Piplad Rishi’s instruction and stayed in his ashram for one year while observing brahamcharya and doing Tapasya (study of Vedas etc.) after completion of the period of one year, respectfully, they met Piplad Rishi and Piplad Rishi answered their questions. I mean to say, the aspirants/devotees should study Vedas-shastras, either by staying in their ashram or on their own, as their time permits. Then their question if answered by learned will be most beneficial to the aspirants and they would also be able to spread the Vedic knowledge to others without any doubt and in easy way.
There is no statement in Vedas that any Rajrishi can marry more than one wife. Still, there is a statement that if progeny is not obtained then more than one wife can be had. I again paste my relevant article , below:-
Polygamy is not mentioned in Vedas therefore totally against the Vedic eternal path.
Second marriage should always be avoided, please. King Dashrath and Sri Krishna Maharaj etc., were like Rishis and they had controlled their senses, perceptions and mind and hence second marriage was not a problem for them because all matters of sensuality were completely controlled by them.
King Dashrath was a learned of Vedas, his spiritual master Vasishth Muniji, who was philosopher of Vedas and Yoga Philosophy lived along with King Dashrath, so there was no doubt that three marriages of King Dashrath were performed in consultation with Guru Vasishthji. So, being Rajrishi, king Dashrath could marry.
Yes, King Dashrath had three wives and he was an Arya. Vyabhichari is he who has wives and still goes after other females. Similarly, the wife is called Vyabhicharini, who has husband and yet goes after other males. King Dashrath was a real Arya and his three wives were Vidushi i.e., learned of Vedas and thus they were devoted, sincere wives (Pativarta) . Actually, we put the question for which we normally are not entitled. I mean to say, King Dashrath and his beloved son Ram were also learned of Vedas and even they maintain brahamcharya while living in married life.
Rishi Valmikiji has written Valmiki Ramayan wherein he has produced a wonderful, pious picture of king Dashrath, his wives, Sri Ram and his wife Mata Sita. You see, when a student studies in a school or college, he learns several subjects from his teacher. Whatever he learns from a teacher, he is only entitled to put question before his teacher to clarify his doubts.
Nowadays it is a problem that we do not study our culture, but puts any question/misunderstanding etc., I would therefore advise to please study Valmiki Ramayan commented by Paramhansa Jagdishwranand Saraswatiji, available with M/S Vijay Kumar Hassanand, Nai Sadak, Delhi-110006, if you desire.
Secondly, I would also advise you to listen my CD named Ram Katha based on Vedic culture, where in I have sung the pious qualities of Sri Ram and King Dashrath from Valmiki Ramayan. Then automatically we’ll bow before the said adorable dignitaries.
Vyabhicharis (sensuous/sinful persons) are those who nowadays do not obey and serve the parents and mostly are under the influence of wife. Sri Ram served parents and even public. King Dashrath served his parents and public faithfully.
On the earth, no one can tell any bad work done by adorable Sri Ram that is why I advise everyone to listen/study authentic Valmiki Ramayan.
In this connection, I would only say that King Dashrath got children when he was fifty-nine years of age. The reason of not having children earlier has not been mentioned in Valmiki Ramayan except that if King Dashrath would please Shringi Rishi and make Shringi Rishi agree to perform Vedic Yajyen to bless him (the King) with babies. So, there may be a case of not having early child from one wife or second wife and King Dashrath then got married to third wife also. Yet, when he did not get children then he prayed/pleased Shringi Rishi. Secondly, in Vedas the word ‘Neti, Neti, Neti’ has also been mentioned, the meaning of which is “This is not the end”. So, the knowledge which is not mentioned in Vedas could give relaxation in some cases as it is 100% correct, based on Valmiki Ramayan, written by Authentic Rishi that King Dashrath was not a characterless King who would marry with three wives.
Also, Dashrath’s father- in –laws were not ordinary person. They were also Kings and related to Royal warrior family. Their daughters – kaushlaya, kaikayee,Sumitra were vidushis, being learned of Vedas. So, the marriage to King Dashrath , definitely was settled first after thinking into the matter/circumstances.
So, we must strive to know pious qualities of King Dashrath and Sri Ram.
Ved mantra further tells that if the wife is corrupt then she can be turned out of the house and the person can obtain child from other woman.
It cannot be found out whether Vasishth Muni authorized Dashrath to marry three wives as Valmiki Ramayan does not throw light on the matter. However, as per Vedas, the order of a King is obeyed by the public (not by Rishi, if it is against Vedas).
Yes, it is not possible to dig out whether it is case of Niyog or keeping more than one wife because it is also not mentioned in Valmiki Ramayan.
Rishi/learned always bows before the Vedic rules and Vedic rules should be obeyed by all otherwise it is commission of sin.
No special case but circumstances. One thing is clear that anybody who goes against Vedas commits sins. However, a Yogi as stated in Brihadarnnyakopnishad 4/4/23 and Yog shastra sutra 4/32 is away from pious and impious deeds. Yet yogi always does pious deeds. One thing more, suppose, there are two persons. One has one wife and other has three or more wives, then who is benevolent and adorable. He who has one wife and commits always sins, quarrels always, takes non-vegetarian, wine , is a burden on society or he who has three or more wives but always follows Vedic path or discharges his duties faithfully and does always benevolent deeds etc. Will we get the worldly knowledge from him who has three wives and knows Vedas and follow Vedas path or from the above quoted person who has one wife. Keeping more than one wife, though being a deed against Vedas, will be then his personal matter and if there is a punishment in such task, he’ll have to face. Then there remains no scope of criticizing or putting questions against dignitary. There is also a saying that ‘One should always eye at the pious deeds of learned person and not on other situation, that is why, Upnishad states – Oh! disciples/public follow our good qualities only and not bad . Secondly, the Vedas tell to think about the present and not past and future because in that case, he’ll waste his time only and gain nothing. From the past only Vedic culture and the pious deeds of the dignitaries are learnt to follow and not his past history. That is why, Vedas donot contain any kind of history. So, the marriage of three wives by King Dashrath, maybe his own decision and if (may be not) he has done sin then under the guidance of his Guru Vasishth, he could have destroyed the sin. Vedic aspirant has to keep silent and should go ahead in his own path as stated in Yajurveda mantra 17/68 and 23/10, the aspirant should never creates problems for others, he has to deal with situation in loving manner by keeping silent and not to pursue matter before those who do not like it.
Hence, aspirant should continue his Vedic path alone without expecting any support from others. So, in any circumstances, the whole world against Vedic path can be neglected but not Vedic path.
My blessings to you.
Vinay Arya: Namaste Guruji Many saints say that all knowledge is present inside. But all knowledge that I have has come from books and watching the things as they are and from teachers. And these things are all outside. So how is all knowledge inside?
Swami Ram Swarup: Namasteji. Outside knowledge is called worldly knowledge which is destroyed one day and inside knowledge is called spiritual knowledge which gives salvation.
