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The Smarta Tradition

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There is a fourth mainstream Hindu community. For

Concepts

its emphasis on smriti, its followers are known as

Practice

Smartas. They are traditional, very strict about rules

Lifestyle
Tradition
Historical Perspective

and regulations, and emphasise the universality of

Hinduism by distancing themselves from the
exclusive worshippers of Vishnu, Shiva or Devi.

Doctrine and Scripture

They worship five deities Vishnu, Shiva, Devi,

Movements and Leaders

Ganesh, and Surya, as introduced by Shankara.

The Four Main

The ten orders of sannyasa (dasanam), founded by

Denominations

Shankara, also follow the same system of

Vaishnavism

panchopasana (five types of worship). Some of

Shaivism

these sannyasis (renunciates) tend towards special

Shaktism

veneration of Shiva, of whom Shankara is

The Smarta Tradition

considered an incarnation.

Founders and Theologians

The Bhakti Saints
The Reform Movements
Socio-Political Movements
Recent Spiritual and Cultural
Leaders
Modern Hindu Groups and
Leaders
Famous Women within
Hinduism
Hinduism in Britain Today

Extras

Adi Shankara (or Shankaracharya), who is reputed to

have started the system of worshipping five deities. He
is founder of the Advaitin School of Vedanta philosophy
(monism), which underpins the widespread notion that
all deities are equal.

The Smarta tradition is a relativiely new

development in Hinduism. Many Hindus may not
strictly identify themselves as Smartas but, by
adhering to Advaita Vedanta as a foundation for
non-sectarianism, are indirect followers.
Nonetheless, other traditions dispute the claim that
the notion of an impersonal God is the only basis for
non-sectarianism. These controversies over the
nature and identity of the Absolute were
spearheaded by prominent theologians.

Main Writings
Vedanta Sutra
Upanishads
Shariraka Bhasya

Madhva (or Madhvacharya). There has been some

tension between the various denominations and schools
of thought, most often between Vaishnavas and
Shaivas/Shaktas. There has also been much theological
controversy. Discussion and debate is an important and
welcomed aspect of Hinduism. Madhvacharya was a
Vaishnava theologian and most strongly contested
Shankara's monistic doctrine. Madhva propounded that
Vishnu is Supreme. Some teachers within the Shaivite
and Shakti traditions have also propounded that their
respective worshippable lords are the Supreme (God).
Smartas consider all deities equal, simply different
attributes of an impersonal Supreme.

Important Places
Badrinatha
Puri
Sringeri
Dvaraka
Kanchipuram

Quote
"In these three worlds, it is only the association of saintly people that serves as the boat to carry
one across the ocean of repeated birth and death."
Adi Shankaracharya

Personal Reflection

What do we know of religious disagreements, similar to those between Madhva and

Shankara?
When is it appropriate to express these differences, and in what manner should it be done?
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"Heart of Hinduism" is Copyright: ISKCON Educational Services, 2004