Fact Check: "Are Iyers Smarthas?"
What We Know
Iyers are a community of Tamil-speaking Brahmins primarily found in Tamil Nadu, India. They are predominantly followers of the Advaita philosophy, which was propounded by Adi Shankara, and they adhere to the Smarta tradition within Hinduism. This tradition emphasizes the worship of multiple deities, typically through a practice known as Panchayatana pooja, where five deities are worshipped, including Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Surya, and Ganesha (source-1, source-2).
The Iyer community is distinct from the Iyengar community, which follows Sri Vaishnavism. While both groups share a common cultural heritage, their religious practices and philosophical beliefs diverge significantly (source-3).
Historically, Iyers have played a crucial role in various fields, including religion, literature, and administration, particularly during the British Raj (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that "Iyers are Smarthas" is supported by multiple credible sources. The Wikipedia entry on Iyers states that "most Iyers are followers of the Advaita philosophy propounded by Adi Shankara and adhere to the Smarta tradition" (source-1). This is corroborated by the List of Iyers, which explicitly identifies Iyers as "Hindu Brahmins of Tamil origin who are Smarthas" (source-2).
Furthermore, a blog post on TruthOrFake discusses the classification of Iyers as Smarthas, emphasizing their adherence to the Smarta tradition within Hinduism (source-3). The distinction between Iyers and Iyengars, where the latter are identified as followers of Vaishnavism, further solidifies the claim that Iyers are primarily Smarthas (source-7).
While some discussions on forums and blogs suggest that the term "Iyer" originally denoted a broader category of Brahmins and not exclusively Smarthas, the current understanding and practice within the community align with the Smarta tradition (source-4, source-6).
Overall, the evidence from multiple reliable sources consistently supports the claim that Iyers are indeed Smarthas.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "Iyers are Smarthas" is substantiated by credible sources that define the Iyer community as followers of the Smarta tradition within Hinduism. The consistency of this classification across various reputable sources confirms the accuracy of the claim.
