Padmashali

Padmashali (also spelt as Padmasali) (Telugu: పద్మశాలి) is a Telugu-speaking Hindu artisan caste predominantly residing in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and were at associated with the Satavahana empire in olden days. The caste is traditionally occupied in weaving and textile businesses and is identified by different names in various regions throughout India.

Etymology

Padmashali family had its roots from Lord Sriman Narayana and it indicates that Lord Brahma emerged from the navel of Lord Sriman Narayana. Brighu Maharishi following Vaikhanasa (basically a Sri Sampradaya which is the Sampradaya of Lakshmi) is considered as one of the manasputras (born by a wish) of Lord Brahma (It is also said that Brughu Maharishi was born from the heart of Lord Brahma). Down the lineage - Brughu Maharishi and his wife Kyathi had children – Bhargavi, Dhata and Vidhata. Bhargavi or Lakshmi is Lord Vishnumurthy’s wife. Therefore, every Padmasali will default have the gotra as 'Bhargava' apart from their family gotras. Dhatha married to Ayathi and blessed with son, Praanudu. Vidhatha was married to Niyathi had a son – Mrukanda Maharishi. Mrukanda Maharishi and his wife Marudhvathi were blessed with son Markandeya Maharishi. The Markandeya Maharishi was bestowed with a son Bhavanarayana from Yagnakunda, otherwise known as Bhavana Rishi or Veda Shirsha. Bhavana Rishi and his wife Bhadravathi had 101 Padmashali children. Padmashalis are the descendants of these 100 sons and they are spread all over India and other parts of the World. All of these evidences can be found in Markandeya Purana, Vishnu Purana, Vayu Purana. The technique of weaving came from ayoni putra, Sri Bhavana maharishi.