In Jain tradition:

1. 72 kalās (arts/skills) taught by Adinath Bhagwan

According to both Digambar and Shvetambar traditions, Bhagwan Adinath (Rishabhanatha) is the first Tirthankara and also the first great teacher of human civilization.

Jain texts describe that:

• He taught 72 kalās (arts/skills) to men
• And 64 kalās (arts/skills) to women

The exact item‑by‑item list is not completely uniform:

• Digambar and Shvetambar granths list them with slightly different names and groupings
• But both agree on the main idea:

Adinath Bhagwan organized and taught almost all the basic skills needed for a cultured society.

A commonly accepted core of what he established includes:

1. Asi – knowledge and proper use of weapons / defence (for protection and order, not for violence)
2. Masi – writing, script, record‑keeping
3. Krishi – agriculture, ploughing, growing food
4. Vidya – education, various sciences and learning
5. Vanijya – trade, business, exchange
6. Shilpa – crafts, architecture, technical arts

Along with these, the 72 kalās include things like:

• Fine arts: singing, dancing, playing musical instruments
• Practical skills: carpentry, metal work, pottery, weaving, garment‑making
• Social skills: administration, rules of society, etiquette
• Counting and measuring: mathematics, weights, measures

His daughters are specially remembered:

• Brahmi – associated with script / language
• Sundari – associated with numbers / mathematics

So, in Jain dharma, Adinath Bhagwan is not only a spiritual Tirthankara but also the “Adi‑Guru” of social life and arts.

You can read more in a simple form here

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2. Brief history of musical instruments and playing, in Jain tradition

Jain narratives say that before Adinath Bhagwan, people lived in a very simple, almost natural state:

• No fixed system of agriculture, clothing, houses, arts or music
• Life was more like spontaneous enjoyment without organized skills

With Rishabhdev Bhagwan:

1. Organizing music and dance

- He is described as the first great organizer of music, dance and fine arts. - In his time, people learned to: - Sing in proper rāga / tune - Dance with rhythm and gestures - Play musical instruments in an ordered way.

1. Instruments (vādya)

Jain texts and tradition speak of: - Veena (string instrument) - Flute and other wind instruments - Percussion instruments like drums, cymbals, etc.

These are not shown as “invented by chance”, but as part of the culture system taught and encouraged in the era of Rishabhdev. He set the pattern that: - Gīta (song) - Vādya (instrumental music) - Nritya (dance) become recognized kalās, respected but still secondary to spiritual progress.

1. Use and limitation in Jain view

- Music and instruments were accepted as refined arts that uplift and organize society. - But Jain dharma always remembers: - They are worldly arts (laukik kalā). - The highest goal is moksha, so even music should not lead to attachment, pride, or himsa. - As time moves towards spiritual renunciation, Tirthankaras and true sadhus give up such enjoyments and focus only on samyak darshan, jnān and chāritra.

So, in short:

• Adinath Bhagwan is remembered as the first teacher of 72 arts for men (and 64 for women), which include music and instruments.
• He civilized human life: giving structure to agriculture, trade, writing, crafts, song, dance, and instrumental music.
• Yet, as a Tirthankara, he finally renounced all these worldly arts and showed the path beyond them – towards detachment and liberation.