Smarta and Dashanami Sampradaya

The Smarta tradition and the Dashanami monastic order associated with Adi Shankaracharya, rooted in Advaita Vedanta and organised around the Shankaracharya Peethas.

Overview

Smartas follow the smriti tradition alongside the Vedas and worship the five deities of the Panchayatana as forms of one Brahman. The Dashanami order of sannyasis, traditionally organised by Adi Shankaracharya, takes its name from ten monastic surnames.

History

Tradition credits Adi Shankaracharya with establishing the Amnaya Peethas and grouping the ten names under them. The Peethas continue to be headed by Shankaracharyas.

Practice

Study of the Prasthanatrayi (Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Brahma Sutras) with Shankara's commentaries, Panchayatana worship and sannyasa within the Dashanami order.