Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c12.s17.2

c12.s17.2

Seventy two kalās are frequently mentioned in the Jain texts.²⁷ The list contains the sippas and also the list of traditional knowledge and sciences It does not mean that everybody acquired proficiency in all these branches. The acquirement of these sciences was an aim which could seldom be achieved. These kalās may be classified as under — 1 Reading and writing which comprised writing (leha) and arithmetic (gaṇiya). 2 Poetry which included verse-making (porekavva), the knowledge of Āryā verses (Ajjā), riddles (paheliyā), Māgadhī composition (Māgadhiyā), Gāthā composition, ballad-making (gūya), and śloka-making (siloya) 3 Sculpture (rūva). 4 Music which comprised dancing (naṭṭa), singing (gīya), instrumental music (vāiya), vocal music (saragaya), drum music (pukkharagaya), and timing in music 5 Clay-modelling which included the knowledge of clays (dagamaṭṭiya) 6 Gambling, sports and indoor games which comprised gambling (jūya), janavāya (a kind of gambling), playing at dice (pāsaya), chess playing (aṭṭhāvaya), making dolls and figures etc. moved by pulling strings (suttakheḍa),²⁸ a game of whirligigs (vattha) and nālikākheḍa (a kind of dice). 7 Personal hygiene, toilet and food. They constituted the rules of food (annavihi), drink (pāna), dress (vattha), toilet (vilevana), and bed (sayaṇa), knowledge of wearing ornaments of silver (hiraṇṇajutti), gold (suvaṇṇa), and other ornaments (ābharanavihi), preparation of powders (cuṇṇajutti)²⁹ and means of improving the complexion of damsels (tarunipadikamma), preparing ornamental designs from leaves (pattacchejja),³⁰ decorating the temple (kadacchejja).