SmartismEdit
Smartism, or the Smarta tradition, stands as a major, historically influential strand within Hinduism that favors a unified conception of the divine while allowing a broad range of devotional expressions. Central to Smartism is the conviction that Brahman, the ultimate reality, manifests in many forms and is accessible through multiple deities as channels for devotion. Practitioners typically honor one ishta-devata—a preferred form of the divine—while remaining equally respectful toward the other principal manifestations. A distinctive practice within Smartism is Pancha Upasana, or fivefold worship, which presents five deities in a single devotional framework and emphasizes the idea that diverse forms of worship converge on a single, transcendent unity. The tradition places significant weight on authoritative scripture, especially the Prasthanatrayi (the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita), and it is closely associated with Advaita Vedanta as it developed in the medieval and early modern periods, particularly through the exegetical work and doctrinal influences of Adi Shankaracharya.
Smartism has often been described as a flexible, ecumenical approach within Hinduism that seeks to reconcile devotion across sectarian lines. Its practitioners may revere Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, Brahma, or Saraswati as their ishta-devata, with the understanding that each form is a valid doorway to the same Brahman. This inclusive attitude has contributed to the tradition’s spread and institutional coherence, especially in temple culture and monastic settings. The precise practices and emphases can vary by region and community, but the shared framework of Brahman as the ultimate reality and the legitimacy of multiple sacred forms remains a unifying feature. For readers exploring the doctrinal landscape of Hinduism, Smartism offers a clear example of how philosophical abstraction—non-dual or otherwise—interacts with ritual plurality.
Core beliefs and practices
Ishta-devata and Pancha Upasana
A defining feature of Smartism is the acceptance of multiple divine forms as legitimate entry points for worship. The five deities most commonly associated with Pancha Upasana are Vishnu, Shiva, Devi (Hinduism), Brahma, and Saraswati. In practice, a devotee may concentrate devotion on a chosen ishta-devata while still performing rites that honor the other deities. The arrangement is often described in ritual manuals as a central image surrounded by the five deities, allowing a single cohesive ritual to symbolize the unity of diverse paths. The concept of ishta-devata, understood within this framework, is complemented by the broader idea that all deities are expressions of Brahman.
Textual basis and philosophy
Smartism draws authority from the central corpus of Hindu thought known as the Prasthanatrayi, which comprises the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita. The interpretation of these texts is typically oriented toward Vedanta, and many Smarta communities emphasize non-dual or non-dualistic-leaning readings of the Upanishads. The tradition is associated with the broader Vedantic project, especially the school of thought formally associated with Advaita Vedanta, though it remains compatible with other Vedantic interpretations within Hindu philosophy. The practical implication is a liberal tolerance for philosophical diversity within a shared spiritual framework.
Worship and practice
In daily life, Smartism often emphasizes both study and ritual. Home shrines and temple altars commonly support the Pancha Upasana layout, and worship may include offerings, mantra recitation, and reverence to the chosen ishta-devata alongside the other forms. The practice underscores the Hindu ideal that knowledge, devotion, and right conduct converge toward a single truth. The approach also fosters a degree of social and religious flexibility, allowing adherents to adapt rituals to regional customs while retaining a core doctrinal core.
Monastic institutions and organization
Smartism has historically intersected with the monastic tradition, including the establishment of monastic centers and scholarly academies. In the course of its development, key patriarchal figures and lineages have contributed to a framework in which study, debate, and temple-centered worship reinforce a coherent identity. The educational and institutional dimension of Smartism has played a significant role in transmitting the tradition across generations and into the diaspora, linking the philosophical core with organized religious life.
History and development
Origins and early forms
Long before the medieval period, Hindu ritual life contained elements that would later be formalized within Smartism. The Smarta approach crystallized in the broader currents of Hindu thought, where reverence for multiple deities coexisted with an overarching monistic or non-dual philosophy. The consolidation of these ideas into a recognizable Smarta framework is linked to the later classic period of Hindu thought and to the work of scholars who sought to harmonize ritual plurality with philosophical unity.
Adi Shankaracharya and the four mathas
A pivotal moment in Smartism came with the figure traditionally associated with broadening and systematizing its philosophical and organizational boundaries: Adi Shankaracharya. While the historical details are debated among scholars, the later tradition holds that Shankaracharya helped articulate a unified approach to Vedanta and cultivated a network of monastic centers. In particular, the four mathas attributed to him—often described as the Sringeri, Dwarka, Jyotir Math, and Puri mathas—are cited as institutional embodiments of the Smarta synthesis: a framework that preserves sectarian vitality while promoting a common philosophical ground. These mathas contributed to the transmission of Smarta doctrine, the protection of ritual practice, and the preservation of scriptural study across diverse communities.
Later developments and diaspora
From its medieval beginnings to the modern era, Smartism continued to adapt to social, political, and cultural change. Its emphasis on scriptural authority, philosophical breadth, and devotional flexibility enabled it to endure through periods of reform, royal patronage, and migration. Today, Smartism remains a living tradition among many Hindu communities in India and in the global diaspora, where it often contributes to intercommunal dialogue and a pragmatic approach to religious life that respects both tradition and change.