Yesterday on the beach I was talking with Karandhara, "Why your country does not allow to marry more than one wife?" He said they think it is immoral. I do not know what is the ethics or psychology behind it, but giving opportunity for the girls to become prostitute is not immoral? To marry more than one wife is immoral? You see your leaders. This is the leaders. Why? Because there is no varnasrama-dharma, they do not know. The brahmanas, the ksatriyas, especially, they are allowed to marry more than one wife. At least every woman will get a chance to have a husband.

From Srila Prabhupada's lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.13 — August 16, 1972, Los Angeles