Smartism

Smartism is a denomination of the Hindu religion. This term is usually used to denote a certain category of Brahmins. Smartas consider the Vedas supreme. The majority of members of Smarta community are followers of Advaita. In practicality, Smarta and Advaita have become almost synonymous because of the prevalence of Advaita philosophy among Smarta Brahmins. But not all believers in Advaita are Smartas. In ancient times, all Brahmins who specialized in the Karma Kanda of the Vedas, and who followed the Vedas and Shastras (both Smriti ...

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Smartism: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary on Smartism

Smartism: (Sanskrit) Sect based on the secondary scriptures (smriti).

The most liberal of the four major Hindu denominations, an ancient Vedic brahminical tradition (ca 700 bce) which from the 9th century onward was guided and deeply influenced by the Advaita Vedanta teachings of the reformist Adi Shankara. Its adherents rely mainly on the classical smriti literature, especially the Itihasas (Ramayana and Mahabharata, the latter of which includes the Bhagavad Gita), Puranas and Dharma Shastras. These are regarded as complementary to and a means to understanding the Vedas. Smartas adhere to Shankara's view that all Gods are but various depictions of Saguna Brahman. Thus, Smartas are avowedly eclectic, worshiping all the Gods and discouraging sectarianism.

The Smarta system of worship, called panchayatana puja, reinforces this outlook by including the major Deity of each primary Hindu sect of ancient days: Ganesha, Surya, Vishnu, Siva and Shakti. To encompass a sixth important lineage, Shankara recommended the addition of a sixth Deity, Kumara. Thus he was proclaimed shanmata sthapanacharya, founder of the six-fold system. One among the six is generally chosen as the devotee's preferred Deity, Ishta Devata. For spiritual authority, Smartas look to the regional monasteries established across India by Shankara, and to their pontiffs. These are the headquarters of ten orders of renunciate monks who spread the Advaita Vedanta teachings far and wide. Within Smartism three primary religious approaches are distinguished: ritualistic, devotional and philosophical.

See: dashanami, panchayatana puja, Shankara.

(See also: Smartism, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Smartism Dictionary

Smartism: Encyclopedia II - Smartism - Main beliefs

The Smarta worldview is influenced by Advaita philosophy, as most Smarta Gurus believe in Advaita. But in order to be a Smarta one need not follow Advaita philosophy. Also, a follower of Advaita philosophy need not be a Smarta. However, Advaita itself was firmly established and propagated by Adi Shankaracharya, who was born in a smarta family tradition. However, it was most essential for smarta Brahmins to specialize in the Karma Kanda of Vedas and associated rituals diligently and teach to the subsequent generations. This is the only ...

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Smartism: Encyclopedia - Harihara

Harihara is a term used to denote the unity of Vishnu and Shiva as one and the same with Hari being the name of Vishnu and Hara that of Shiva. This is a popular concept, especially among those trying to bridge the gaps between Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Smartism holds this concept as a tenet. There is scriptural support for those assertions as both the Shri Rudram and Vishnu sahasranama indicate that Vishnu and Shiva are one. As Swami Sivananda discussed, in his book, All about Hinduism, " A bigoted Virasaivite ent ...

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Harihara - Geography

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Smartism: Encyclopedia - Ishta-deva

In Smartism, a denomination of Hinduism, an Ishta-deva or Ishta devata or Ishta-devatha is a term meaning "the god one prays most." It is derived from the Sanskrit roots for good and god. Traditionally it alludes to the particular god (from among 330 millions as believed by Hindus) who is the saviour of the family (akin to a Patron Saint, chosen by a devotee. In such a concept held by Smartas, di ...

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Smartism: Encyclopedia - Trimurti

In Hinduism, the Trimurti (also called the Hindu trinity) are three aspects of God in His forms as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This Trimurti concept is a tenet strongly held in Smartism as well as Ayyavazhi mythology. Brahma - the Creator Vishnu - the Preserver Shiva - the Destroyer The trimurti itself is conceived of as a deity and artistically represented as a three-faced human figure. Brahma is no longer as relevant as he once was, some would say the all-in-one Devi or Shakti, the Divine Moth ...

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Smartism: Encyclopedia - Nastika

Nastika is a Sanskrit term meaning: One who denies; unbeliever. It is the antonym of astika, or one who asserts. The meanings can be generalised respectively into unorthodox and orthodox. The terms astika and nastika are a traditional classification of Indian schools of thought. Nastika refers to all traditions that reject and deny the scriptural authority of the Vedas. This includes Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, the Charvaka materialists and others. Astika refers to those schools that accept the revealed authority of the Vedas as supreme scripture. This includes the four major sects ...

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Smartism: Encyclopedia - Bhairavi

Bhairavi is a fierce and terrifying aspect of the Goddess virtually indistinguishable from Kali, except for her particular identification as the consort of the Wrathful Shiva. Bhairavi is a raaga in Indian Classical Music. It is sung as a conclusion of concerts. ...

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Smartism: Encyclopedia - Ayyavazhi publications

Ekam-The Ultimate Oneness Vethan-The Creator Thirumal-The Maintainer Sivan-The Destroyer Vaikundar-The Incarnation The Trinity Akilattirattu Ammanai Vinchai to Vaikundar Thirukkalyana Ekanai Arul Nool Thalaimaippathi Pathis Nizhal Thangals Ayyavazhi Publications Ayyavazhi movemen ...

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Ayyavazhi publications - Tamil

Smartism: Encyclopedia - Vinchai to Vaikundar

Ekam-The Ultimate Oneness Vethan-The Creator Thirumal-The Maintainer Sivan-The Destroyer Vaikundar-The Incarnation The Trinity Akilattirattu Ammanai Vinchai to Vaikundar Thirukkalyana Ekanai Arul Nool Thalaimaippathi Pathis Nizhal Thangals Ayyavazhi Publications Ayyavazhi movements ...

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Vinchai to Vaikundar - The proclamation and instructions Vinchai

Smartism: Encyclopedia - Vaishnavism

Please remove this notice after the article has been expanded. Details are on this talk page or at Wikipedia:Requests for expansion. Vaishnavism is one of the principal divisions of Hinduism. Its adherents worship Vishnu or one of his avatars and are panentheistic monotheistic. Bhaktas, or worshippers of Vishnu are called Vaishnavites, an English term that originated from Vaishnava in Sanskrit). Vaishnavism - Schools of Vaishnavism. Major Vaishnava schools of thoug ...

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Smartism: Encyclopedia - Religious denomination

A religious denomination, (also simply denomination) is a large, long-established subgroup within a religion that has existed for many years. The term is frequently used to describe the different Christian churches (Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism and the many varieties of Protestantism); it is also used to describe the four organised branches of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist), and (less often, though it would not be inappropriate) ...

Smartism: Encyclopedia - Arul Nool

Ekam-The Ultimate Oneness Vethan-The Creator Thirumal-The Maintainer Sivan-The Destroyer Vaikundar-The Incarnation The Trinity Akilattirattu Ammanai Vinchai to Vaikundar Thirukkalyana Ekanai Arul Nool Thalaimaippathi Pathis Nizhal Thangals Ayyavazhi Publications Ayyavazhi movements ...

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Smartism: Encyclopedia - Akilattirattu Ammanai

Ekam-The Ultimate Oneness Vethan-The Creator Thirumal-The Maintainer Sivan-The Destroyer Vaikundar-The Incarnation The Trinity Akilattirattu Ammanai Vinchai to Vaikundar Thirukkalyana Ekanai Arul Nool Thalaimaippathi Pathis Nizhal Thangals Ayyavazhi Publications Ayyavazhi movement ...

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Smartism: Encyclopedia - Bija

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the Sanskrit term bīja (Jp. 種子 shushi), literally seed, is used as a metaphor for the origin or cause of things. The metaphor is considerably extended in the Consciousness-only teachings of the Yogacara school of Buddhism. According to this theory, all experiences and actions produce bija as impressions, stored in the alaya (storehouse) consciousness. The external world is produced when the seeds "perfume" this consciousness. This view of bija has been equated to memes, with the theory itself positing an extreme form of memetics (ie. real ...

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Smartism: Encyclopedia - Bhrigus

The Bhrigus, also known as Bhargavas, are a clan of sages descending form the ancient fire-priest Bhrigu. They instituted the ritual of offering the juice of the Soma plant to the old Indo-Aryan deities. Some of them were also warriors in addition to being priests. The Bhrigus are intimately linked with the composition of the Atharva-Veda. Bhrigu, a sage in Hindu mythology, was said to have stepped on Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu to test who of the three gods was the greatest. Though Brahma and Shiva were furious at Bhrigu's act, Vishnu greeted the sage with respect an ...

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Smartism: Encyclopedia - Asvaghosa

Ašvaghosa (?80-?150 CE) was an Indian philosopher-poet, born in Saketa in Central India. He is believed to have been the first Sanskrit dramatist, and is considered the greatest Indian poet before Kalidasa. He was first a student of non-Buddhist teaching, but upon losing an argument with Parshva converted to Buddhism. He became a religious adviser to the Kushan king Kanishka. He is said to be the author of the influential Buddhist text Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana. He also wrote a life of the Buddha called Buddhac ...

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