  We propose a variant of hybrid inflation which is applicable in a wide class
of supersymmetric grand unified models. The observed temperature perturbations
of cosmic background radiation can be reproduced with natural values of the
parameters of the theory and a grand unification scale which is consistent with
the unification of the minimal supersymmetric standard model gauge couplings as
measured at LEP. The termination of inflation is smooth and does not produce
any topological defects. Finally, we present a specific supersymmetric model
where our smooth hybrid inflationary scenario is realized.
