According to Jain tradition, yes – Bhagwan Ādināth (Rishabhdev) is the first one who taught humans all basic skills of living, including what we would today call “household work”.

Key points in simple form:

1. Before Ādināth Bhagwan

- People lived depending on kalpavṛksha (wish‑fulfilling trees). - There was no organized farming, cooking, crafts, or social system.

1. What Ādināth taught

Jain granths and later works (like Ādipurāṇ etc.) describe that he: - Taught 72 kalā (arts/skills) to men - Taught 64 kalā (arts/skills) to women These included: - Kṛṣi (agriculture) – how to grow food - Vanijya (trade) – how to exchange goods - Śilpa (crafts, building, pottery, tools, etc.) - Masi / lipi (writing) - Music, painting, various fine arts

Within śilpa and related kalās are skills like: - Making utensils, grinding, storing, and preparing grains - Weaving, stitching, garment‑making - Managing home, materials, and basic comforts

So, while the texts may not use the English word “cooking”, food preparation and household organization are part of these kalās.

1. Men, women and household skills

- Men were given 72 kalās (more related to outside work, statecraft, defence, etc., plus general skills). - Women were given 64 kalās (many closely related to home management, clothing, decoration, food‑related arts, care of family, etc.). So both men and women received training that supports household life, just with different emphasis.

1. Digambar & Śvetāmbara view

- Both traditions accept that Ādināth taught 72 kalās for men and 64 for women. - The exact lists and names of each kalā may differ slightly between Digambar and Śvetāmbara texts. - But there is no disagreement on the main idea: Ādināth Bhagwan organized human life – from food and farming to social rules and arts.

So, in Jain dharma, Lord Ādināth is remembered as the first teacher of civilization, which includes the knowledge needed for food, home, and daily living, not only spiritual dharma.

You can read more about Rishabhdev Bhagwan and the kalās he taught here: