Adinath Bhagwan (Rishabhanatha), the first Tirthankara, is traditionally said to have taught 72 kalās (arts/skills) to men
Yes, this is a traditional Jain belief.
According to Jain scriptures and later Purāṇic works (like Ādipurāṇ), Bhagwān Ādināth (Rishabhdev) is credited with giving human society its first organized way of living. As part of this, he is said to have:
- Taught 72 kalās (arts/skills) to men
- Taught 64 kalās (arts/skills) to women
These kalās include things like:
- Agriculture (kṛṣi)
- Trade and commerce (vāṇijya)
- Writing and script (masi / lipi)
- Use of weapons (asi)
- Various crafts, architecture, music, and household arts
His daughters are specially remembered:
- Brahmi – teaching script / language
- Sundari – teaching numbers / mathematics
So, the main point of the tradition is: Bhagwān Ādināth did not only give dharma (spiritual path), but also laukik kalā (worldly skills) so that society could live in an orderly, cultured, and ethical way.
Different Digambar and Śvetāmbara texts may list the exact 72 and 64 items with small variations, but both accept that:
- Men – 72 arts
- Women – 64 arts