Noun
one of a group of brahmans who uphold nonsectarian orthodoxy according to the Vedanta school of Hinduism
Source: WordNetDating for the pañcāyatana pūjā and its connection with Smārta Brahmins is from Courtright, p. 163. For worship of the five forms as central to Smarta practice see: Flood (1996), p. 113. Śankarācārya later added Kartikeya to these five, making six total. Source: Internet
Main traditions main A Ganesha-centric Panchayatana ("five deities", from the Smarta tradition): Ganesha (centre) with Shiva (top left), Devi (top right), Vishnu (bottom left) and Surya (bottom right). Source: Internet
Depending on the tradition followed by Smarta households, one of these deities is kept in the center and the other four surround it. Source: Internet