64 Vedic Kalas

It is often mentioned in the classical texts about the 14 Vidyas and 64 Kalas which existed in ancient India in Vedic times i.e. the Bronze Age. Here is a brief introduction to the 64 kalas.

The Kalas –

1) Panak rasa or Rogasava Yojana – to create wines and nectars for health and enjoyment.

2) Dhatuvada (metallurgy) – to combine, refine or separate metals to create alloys. Also to extract elements from ore.

3) Durvacha yoga – etymology of words and grammar.

4) Aakar dnyan – in depth knowledge of mining – its construction and operation.

5) Vrukshayurveda yoga (horticulture) – the creation of gardens, nurseries.

6) Pattika vetravanakalpa – weaving – creating objects out of cane, bamboo, hessian etc.

7) Vainayaki vidyagyan – etiquette, protocol, manners, polite behaviour.

8) Vyayamiki vidyagyan – exercises, gymnastics, martial arts, building of strength.

9) Vayjapiki vidyagyan – victory over adversaries through psychological warfare.

10) Shuka sarika pralapan – learning and interpretation of bird sounds (communicating with birds).

11) Abhidhan kosh chandogyan – words, poetry, verses etc. the structure of chants and mantras.

12) Vaastu vidyagyan – also called Sthapatyaveda. It is the planning and construction of structures. Town planning with due consideration to Panch Mahabhootas, horoscopes (planets) and geographical factors.

13) Baal krida karma – entertainment for physical and mental stimulation of children, and their development through games and mental exercises.

14) Chitra shabdapoopbhakshavi paak kriya – the culinary arts, cooking and creation of foods with health and aesthetics in mind.

15) Pustakvachan – library science, reading and assimilation of prose and grammar.

16) Aakarshan krida – also known as Vashikaran, to attract another person/s.

17) Kauchumar yoga – to enhance the physical beauty of a person through cosmetics and exercises (especially facial exercises).

18) Hastalaghava – literally doing things with skilled hands – fine and creative arts.

19) Prahelika – poetry and questions and answers through poetry (as a form of entertainment).

20) Pratimala – to take care of rituals and processes after death, including the psychological conditioning (counselling).

21) Kavya samasya poorti – completing/ correcting incorrect prose or poetry.

22) Bhasha dnyan – knowledge of languages and teaching of the same, including foreign languages.

23) Chitra yoga – fine arts in the form of drawing and painting.

24) Kayakalpa – rejuvenation of old people (energizing, slowing down the metabolism and reversing effects of old age).

25) Malya granth vikalpa – selection of apparel and dressing up for the occasion (dressing of Gods, deities, royal personages, dancers etc. in their elaborate costumes).

26) Gandha yukti – knowledge of smells (fragrances as well as ointments for anointing).

27) Yantra matuka – manufacture and maintenance of machines/ designing new appliances.

28) Attar vikalpa – creation of scents / fragrances from flowers used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes (aromatherapy).

29) Sampathaya – ventriloquism and mimicry

30) Dharan matruka – mind games to enhance memory and exercises for the same.

31) Chalika yoga – sleight of hand and tricks (used mainly by magicians for entertaining people or creating illusions).

32) Vastra gopan – repairing of clothes and armour.

33) Manibhoomika – considered a part of the Sthapatyaveda where weak cardinal sectors are enhanced by placement of gems/minerals/materials to enhance them. Also in the placement of tiles on the floor.

34) Dhootkrida – gambling.

35) Pushpakatika nimita gyan – forecasting the future by observing nature (flowers, animals, insects & their behaviour), weather patterns and mainly ‘sankets’ (omens).

36) Malya grantham – floral garlands, bouquets, hair pieces, brooches etc. of flowers.

37) Mani rag gyan (gemology) – the seletion, grading, valuation of gems and precious stones.

38) Mesh kukkat lavak – arranging and training of cockerels, birds, rams etc. for fights in the arena.

39) Visheshcacheda gyan – creating instruments for imprinting patterns on the foreheads of people holding high office (priests, kings etc.) and application of the same (tilaks).

40) Kriya vikalpa – reversing the effects of various acts or processes / acting as an antidote.

41) Mansi kavyakriya – impromptu speech or poetry.

42) Aabhushan bhojan – setting of gems and stones in gold and silver to enhance its best qualities, creation of ornaments. A master goldsmith / silversmith of sorts.

43) Keshshekhar peed gyan – the art of creating crowns and anointing the head with floral arrangements to enhance the halo behind the head (Gods and Kings).

44) Nritya gyan (nritya kala) – knowledge of dance and its rituals.

45) Geeta gyan – classical music.

46) Tandul kusumavati vikar – drawing of rangoli (and its patterns) in homes, palaces and temples) using rice, rice flour and flowers.

47) Keshamarjan kaushalya – therapeutic massage of the head with oils for treatment of various illnesses.

48) Utsadan kriya – massaging the body with oils.

49) Karnapatra bhang - creating earrings and ornaments for adorning ears out of petals, flowers and leaves.

50) Nepathya yoga – selection of vastra (clothes) according to the seasons.

51) Udak ghat – games involving water, swimming, making sprinklers, water features etc.

52) Udak vaadya (jal tarang) – playing music on cups with differing levels of water in them to create different notes.

53) Shayan rachana – arranging the bedroom for maximum conjugal comfort (also at times a part of Sthapatyaveda).

54) Chitrakala – conception of and planning the execution of painting, drawing, decorating (fine arts), as well as framing, borders and display.

55) Pushpa stharan – arranging bridal / conjugal beds of flowers. Also arranging flower carpets during prayers in temples.

56) Natya akhayika darshan kala – drama, acting, direction, plays.

57) Dasha nava sanan garat (orthodontics of sorts) – cleaning, decorating teeth (making them presentable). Also decorating the skin, mehendi, make-up, clothes designed to suits skin/ hair colour.

58) Turka karma – thread-making with cotton, wool etc., charkhas (hand looms). Gandhiji could have been called a Turka karmi.

59) Indrajal – sorcery, magic, aghori practices, potions, spells, charms.

60) Takshan karma – wood carving, wood blending, selection of woods (trees) from forest to construction / completion.

61) Akshar mushtika gyan – sign language (used by the deaf) and also code language via hand signals.

62) Sutra tatha suchi karma – repairs to clothes, armour, fine material. Dyeing and blending of materials to match the original.

63) Mlechit kala vikalpa – conversation in foreign languages (vakils, ambassadors to foreign countries etc.).

64) Ratna roupya parikshit kala – evaluation of precious stones, metals, jewels and their comparative values.

Capt. Shekhar Vadke