Orthodox Hindu sect consisting of members of higher caste s who worship all the gods of the Hindu pantheon and adhere to rules of ritual and conduct laid down in ancient sutra s.
The sect was founded by Shankara . The head of the monastery he established at Sringeri is the spiritual authority of the Smartas and one of the chief religious personages of India. The Smartas regard five gods as primary: Shiva , Vishnu , Surya , and Ganesha . Active in all branches of learning, they have earned the honorary title sastri (Sanskrit: "men of learning").