Answer

In Jain tradition, Bhagwan Adinath, also known as Lord Rishabhanatha, is remembered as the first Tirthankara who organized human life and taught people the basic skills needed to live in a civilized way. The “72 kala” means 72 traditional arts, skills, and practical knowledge areas.

These were not only fine arts. They included:

• useful life skills
• crafts and professions
• intellectual abilities
• social and moral discipline
• artistic expression

Explanation

After the early stage of human society became disorganized, Bhagwan Adinath is said to have shown people how to live properly. He taught them how to:

• grow food
• build tools and work with materials
• trade and earn honestly
• write and communicate
• develop music, art, and craftsmanship
• follow discipline and social order

So, the 72 kala represent the foundation of civilized living.

What “kala” means

In this context, “kala” means skill, art, or mastery. It does not mean only painting or music. It also includes practical knowledge that helps a person live well.

Broad types of the 72 kala

The 72 arts are usually understood in categories such as:

• agriculture and food production
• construction and tools
• weaving, pottery, metalwork, and crafts
• writing, counting, and learning
• music, dance, and artistic expression
• administration, trade, and public conduct
• manners, ethics, and social responsibility

The exact list of 72 may vary in different traditional sources, but the main idea is the same: Bhagwan Adinath taught humanity the skills needed for orderly, ethical, and productive life.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, Bhagwan Adinath is not only a spiritual guide but also a divine civilizer. His teaching of the 72 kala shows that spirituality is not separate from daily life.

This teaches us:

• a Jain life should be disciplined
• knowledge and skill are valuable when used with righteousness
• work, art, and learning should support dharma
• civilization should be built on ethics, not greed or violence

The deeper message is that true progress means both external development and inner purity.

Takeaway

The 72 kala of Bhagwan Adinath symbolize the complete training of human life—skills, arts, knowledge, and ethical living. He is revered as the one who first guided humanity from disorder to civilization.

If you want, I can also explain:

• the full meaning of the 72 kala in simple points, or
• which traditional arts are included in them.