List of 64 kallas taught by Rushabhadev god
Rushabhdev (Rishabhanath) is traditionally said to have taught 64 kalās (arts) to women, while some traditions speak of 72 kalās to men. The exact items and their order vary between Digambar and Śvetāmbara texts, but the core idea is to provide a broad set of arts and skills for social and cultural life. Below are the 64 kalās as they appear in some lists for the women, to give you a sense of the kinds of crafts included (items 50–64). The earlier items (1–49) differ by tradition, so there isn’t a single universally fixed list.
- Khida – art of various games and sports
- Karnapatra bhanga – art of making ear ornaments
- Sugandhadiyoga – art of using perfumes and aromatics
- Bhushanayojana – art of using jewelry and adornments
- Indrajala – art of illusion and magic
- Kautukika – art of making fun and amusements
- Vainayaki vidya – art of enforcing discipline
- Kushalata – skillfulness in various tasks
- Hasta laghavam – sleight of hand
- Chitrayoga – art of making decorations
- Malya grathana – garland making
- Manibandh vidya – making bracelets
- Sharira madhya – beautifying the body
- Chitra shala – painting galleries
- Vastra rachanam – designing clothes
Note: these items illustrate the nature of the 64 kalās and show the kind of crafts included. The full 64 and their exact items differ between Digambar and Śvetāmbara traditions. You can read more about the discussion of Rushabhdev’s 64 kalās on JainKnowledge pages:
- You can read more here
- And a concise summary of the related questions here