smarta

Smarta refers to a broad tradition within Hinduism that traces its religious and philosophical developments to the Vedas and, in popular memory, to the reform movements associated with Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th–9th centuries. Smartas emphasize a flexible, inclusive approach to worship, teaching that the same ultimate reality, Brahman, can be approached through multiple deities and devotional forms. The tradition is often described as nonsectarian or pan-Hindu, accepting various theological perspectives while upholding the authority of the Vedas and associated texts.

A central practice in the Smarta tradition is the Panchayatana puja, a ritual in which a devotee worships five deities—commonly Vishnu, Shiva, Devi (the Goddess), Surya, and Ganesha—on a single altar. This ritual expresses the Smartas’ belief that diverse gods are different manifestations of the same Brahman. Adherents typically honor an ishta devata, a personal chosen deity, while recognizing the legitimacy of other deities and paths within Hinduism. Philosophically, Smartas are associated with Advaita Vedanta in many communities, though they are not confined to a single school and various interpretations of Vedanta coexist within the tradition.

Key texts for Smartas include Smriti literature and the ritual and codifying texts of the Brahmanas, along with the Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras as interpreted through an array of viewpoints. The movement has historically been influential across northern and western India and continues to shape temple practices, monastic lineages, and reform-minded Hindu organizations today, reflecting a legacy of pluralism and scholarly engagement within Hindu practice.