“Swayampak Kala” simply means the art of cooking one’s own food – swayam (स्वयं) = oneself, pak (पाक) = cooking.

What is “Swayampak Kala” of Bhagwan Rishabhdev?

According to Jain tradition:

• In the very early time, people used to get ready food from kalpavṛikṣa (wish‑fulfilling trees).
• They did not know:

- how to grow crops, - how to prepare / cook food, - how to run trade, etc.

When the power of kalpavṛikṣa slowly reduced, people started facing problems for food and daily needs.

At that time Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Adinath), the first Tirthankar and first king, taught people many basic skills (kala), like:

• Krishi kala – agriculture
• Vanijya kala – trade
• Lipikala / Lekhan kala – writing
• Swayampak kala – cooking their own food

So, Swayampak Kala by Rishabhdev means:

> Rishabhdev Bhagwan taught humans how to prepare and cook their own food, instead of depending on miraculous trees or others.

Spiritual meaning

• It teaches self‑effort (purusharth) – do your own work.
• It supports ahimsa – cooking simple, careful food, avoiding violence.
• It removes laziness and dependence, and builds responsibility for what we eat.

Digambar & Shwetambar view

• Both traditions accept that Rishabhdev:

- was the first king and first Tirthankar, - taught people various 72 arts / kalas, - including agriculture, trade, and self‑cooking (swayampak).

• Exact lists and names of all kalas may differ slightly in their texts, but the main idea is the same:

Rishabhdev organized human society and taught people to live by their own effort.

You can read a simple introduction to Rishabhdev Bhagwan here