Smartists build their practice on the timeless trio known as the Prasthāna-trayī (“three sources”): the Vedas (especially the four Samhitās), the Upanishads and the Vedānta-sūtras (also called Brahma-sūtras). Those foundational texts get a vibrant gloss in the Bhagavad Gītā, which Smartists hold as a pithy guide to non-dual living.

Diving deeper, six “principal” Upanishads—Īśā, Kena, Kaṭha, Muṇḍaka, Taittirīya and Chāndogya—are treated as the cream of the crop, often cited by Adi Śaṅkarācārya in his commentaries. His works (Upadeśa-sāhasrī, Viveka-cūḍāmaṇi and others) remain essential reading, giving practical twists to lofty metaphysics and helping devotees hit the nail on the head when it comes to grasping Advaita.

Beyond these core scriptures, Smartists respect the Dharmashāstras and Smṛtis—Manu, Yājñavalkya and Nārada among them—which lay down ritual details for the daily Sandhyāvandanam, fire ceremonies and the famed Pancharātra-style Panchāyatana pūjā (worship of five deities). While not as sect-specific as some Pūraṇas, classics like the Bhāgavata and Śivapurāṇa still enrich the mythic tapestry and devotional hymns.

These sources, woven together by non-dual philosophy, form a tapestry that’s as relevant today as ever. In online satsangs and podcasts—names like Devdutt Pattanaik pop up—modern seekers find fresh interpretations, proving that an ancient scriptural buffet can still satisfy hungry hearts in 2025.