texts, are differentiated from Srauta Brahmins who specialize in the Sruti corpus of texts such as the Brahmanas layer embedded inside the Vedas. Smarta Brahmins are also differentiated from Brahmins who specialize in the Agamic (Tantra) literature such as the Adi Shaiva Brahmins, Sri Vaishnava Brahmins and Shaiva Kashmiri Pandits. However, these identities are not clearly defined, and active groups such as "Agamic Smarta Saiva Brahmins" have thrived. In a more general sense, all Brahmins who do not come from small communities of orthodox Vedic sects are considered Smarta Brahmins. Many orthodox Vedic sects have also turned to temple worship and management, which is considered a Smarta and Agamic tradition. Sri Vaishnava Brahmins sought to combine the Smarta tradition, Alvar Bhakti, and the Pancharatra traditions. Kashmiri Pandits combine Smarta and Agamic tradition. Smarta Visvakarmas Visvakarmas are artisans found in South India, such as in the state of Karnataka. They are known for their traditional expertise and skills as blacksmiths, carpenters, coppersmiths, sculptors, and goldsmiths. Smarta Visvakarmas are vegetarian artisans who follow the Smarta tradition. They contrast with Vaishnava Visvakarmas who follow the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism and some of whom may consume non-vegetarian food. The re-marriage of widows is a tradition found among the Smarta Visvakarmas, but has been atypical among Vaishnava Visvakarma. According to Brouwer, examples of Smarta Visvakarmas include Niligundapanta (traditionally blacksmiths and carpenters), Konnurpanta (all five artisan trades) and Madipattar (goldsmiths). The Smarta & Vaishnava Visvakarmas claim to be Brahmins but were never considered to be Brahmins by other castes. Influence Vaitheespara notes the adherence of the Smarta Brahmans to "the pan-Indian Sanskrit-brahmanical tradition" and their influence on pan-Indian nationalism: See also Neo-Vedanta Advaita Vedanta Ishta-deva Smarana Prominent Smarta teachers Gaudapada Govinda Bhagavatpada Adi Shankara Sureshwaracharya Padmapadacharya Hastamalakacharya Totakacharya Vachaspati Mishra Sri Ramakrishna Swami Vivekananda Sri Ramana Maharshi Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Madhusudana Saraswati Swami Karpatri Sects Examples of sects that follow the Smarta tradition and Advaita Vedanta, with Shankaracharya as the primary reformer: Halenadu Karnataka Brahmin Hoysala Karnataka Brahmins Iyers Notes References Bibliography Web sources External links Advaita Vedanta Adi Sankaracharya and Advaita Vedanta Library Advaita Vedanta Homepage Jagadguru Mahasamsthanam, Sringeri Sharada Peetam Puranas Oneness of God from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Hindu denominations Advaita Vedanta Neo-Vedanta Hinduism