It's interesting to note that the *first* reason given by His Divine Grace is the legal ramifications. The other points are valid, but it *does* seem that the legal consideration was foremost.
The Mormon church used to endorse polygamy. They changed their stance a long time ago, and now only Mormon splinter groups "openly" practice polygamy.
I'm not intimately familiar with that history, but a lot of it seems to be based on the legal climate in the USA. I seem to remember hearing/reading that the polygamy issue (and abandoning the practice) was tied to statehood for Utah (where many Mormons live and where the church is based).
It was enough that Srila Prabhupada was introducing a radically-different culture from the prevailing one--the last thing the movement needed was to be branded outlaws right off the bat (though the shady reputation did eventually come for other reasons).
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Originally Posted by suchandra
Polygamy seems to have been a normal situation in vedic culture - successful grhasthas and vedic kings like Maharaja Bharata ( had three wives), Vasudeva, Krishna's father ( had 16 wives) or Lord Ramacandra's father ( had three wives ) or King Citraketu (had many wives), could easily maintain such big families, whereas nowadays to maintain a family with one wife is a great achievement.
"I have received your letter of 1/24/73 concerning polygamy and feel that this policy must be strictly prohibited within our society. If it is not it shall only cause chaos, as what was possible under the system of pure Vedic Culture is impossible at the present time." (Letter to Karandhara, Melbourne 10 February 1973)
"First let us understand that polygamy cannot be permitted in our society. Legally it is impossible and neither are there many of our devotees who are prepared to assume the responsibility for many wives. Therefore as I have suggested previously as they do in Christian religion they have so many convent where the women stay and they receive protection. The point is that the women must be protected and it is the duties of the leaders of our society to see that this is carried out." (Letter to Satsvarupa, Melbourne 10 February 1973)
"After conferring with my various GBC representatives I have concluded that polygamy must be strictly prohibited in our society. Although it is a Vedic institution still there are so many legal implications. Neither are many of our men fixed up enough to tend for more than one wife. Polygamy will simply increase the sex life and our philosophy is to gradually decrease the sex life till eventually there is no sex life." (Letter to Rupanuga, Sydney 14 February 1973)
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