Caturdasha-vidya-sthana, 64 Kalas and Shilpa Śāstra

Caturdasha-vidya-sthana:

Caturdaśa Vidyāsthānam, also known as the “Fourteen Branches of Knowledge,” is a traditional classification of subjects in ancient Indian education. These subjects encompass a wide range of knowledge areas and are essential for a well-rounded education in the Vedic tradition. Here are the fourteen subjects explained in simple language:

Four Vedas: The ancient sacred texts of Hinduism, consisting of:

Rigveda: Hymns and prayers. (स्तोत्रे आणि प्रार्थना)

Samaveda: Melodious chants and songs. (मधुर मंत्र आणि गाणी)

Yajurveda: Rituals and ceremonial instructions. (विधी आणि समारंभाच्या सूचना)

Atharvaveda: Spells, charms, and incantations. (मंत्र, तंत्र, आणि जादूटोणा)

Six Vedangas: Auxiliary disciplines to understand and interpret the Vedas, including:

Shiksha (Phonetics): The study of pronunciation and sound.

Chandas (Meter): The study of poetic meters and verse structures.

Vyakarana (Grammar): The study of Sanskrit grammar.

Nirukta (Etymology): The study of word origins and meanings.

Kalpa (Rituals): The study of rituals and sacrificial procedures.

Jyotisha (Astronomy): The study of astronomy and astrology.

Four Upavedas: Secondary texts that provide practical knowledge in various fields, including:

Ayurveda: Traditional Indian medicine and health.

Dhanurveda: The art of warfare and archery.

Gandharvaveda: Music and performing arts.

Sthapatyaveda: Architecture and engineering.

These fourteen subjects collectively cover spiritual, ritualistic, linguistic, poetic, grammatical, and practical aspects of knowledge in ancient Indian education.

The 64 Kalas:

The 64 Kalas (skills or arts) are a traditional list of skills that are considered important for a well-rounded education in ancient Indian culture. These arts cover a wide range of practical, creative, and intellectual activities. Here is the list of the 64 Kalas with a brief explanation for each:

1. Geet vidya (गानविद्या) – Art of singing.
2. Vadya vidya (वाद्यविद्या) – Art of playing musical instruments.
3. Nritya vidya (नृत्यविद्या) – Art of dancing.
4. Natya vidya (नाट्यविद्या) – Art of theatrics and drama.
5. Alekhya vidya (अलेख्यविद्या) – Art of painting.
6. Visheshakacchedya vidya (विशेषकच्छेद्यविद्या) – Art of painting the face and body with colors and cosmetics.
7. Tandula kusuma bali vikara (तण्डुल कुसुम बलि विकार) – Art of preparing offerings from rice and flowers.
8. Pushpastarana (पुष्पास्तरण) – Art of making a bed using flowers.
9. Dasana vasthara (दन्त धावन) – Art of preparing toothpicks and making decorative patterns on teeth.
10. Manibhumikarma (मणिभूमिकर्म) – Art of inlaying precious stones and metals.
11. Shayana rachana (शय्यारेचना) – Art of preparing beds.
12. Udaka vadya (उदकवाद्य) – Art of using water as a musical instrument.
13. Udaka ghata (उदकघात) – Art of splashing and playing with water.
14. Chitra yogya (चित्रयोग) – Art of making designs and drawings.
15. Malya granthana vikruti (माल्य ग्रंथन विकृति) – Art of making and wearing garlands.
16. Kesha sheka (केश शेख) – Art of arranging hair.
17. Nirmiti vidya (निर्मितिविद्या) – Art of creating various crafts.
18. Ranga (रङ्ग) – Art of decorating with colors.
19. Kusuma shayana (कुसुमशय्य) – Art of making beds with flowers.
20. Udaka ghatika (उदकघटिका) – Art of understanding water-related architecture.
21. Aksara mushtika kathana (अक्षरमुष्टिककथन) – Art of reciting or playing games with alphabets.
22. Mlechita kriya (म्लेच्छितकृत्य) – Art of secret writing and communication.
23. Desha bhasa vigraha (देशभाषाविग्रह) – Art of knowing and understanding different languages and dialects.
24. Pushpa kasta (पुष्पकाष्ठ) – Art of preparing flowers and wood.
25. Shuka shuka narikela (शुकशुकनारीकेल) – Art of training parrots and mynahs.
26. Upakarika vidya (उपकारीविद्या) – Art of making ointments and pastes.
27. Keshmarjana (केशमर्जन) – Art of cleansing and beautifying hair.
28. Akshara mushtika kathanam (अक्षरमुष्टिककथनम्) – Art of secret writing.
29. Dharana matra (धारणामात्र) – Art of mnemonics. A mnemonic is a technique or device for remembering information. Mnemonics can be made up of words, mental pictures, body movements, physical objects, or just about anything that can help you remember information.
30. Desha bhasa jnana (देशभाषाज्ञान) – Art of knowledge of different languages.
31. Vaijayanti vidya (वैजयन्तीविद्या) – Art of preparing knowledge scrolls.
32. Vriksha ayurveda (वृक्षायुर्वेद) – Art of Ayurveda related to trees and plants.
33. Anka shastra (अंकशास्त्र) – Art of understanding mathematics and numbers.
34. Dharana matra (धारणामात्र) – Art of memory training.
35. Mani bhandha (मणिबन्ध) – Art of gem-studded ornaments.
36. Mudrakhya (मुद्राख्य) – Art of seal-making and sealing.
37. Vastra (वस्त्र) – Art of making and dyeing clothes.
38. Takshanam (तक्षणम्) – Art of carpentry and woodcutting.
39. Vastu shastra (वास्तुशास्त्र) – Art of architecture and construction.
40. Takshan vidya (तक्षणविद्या) – Art of carpentry.
41. Vyajanadya (व्यजनाद्य) – Art of fanning and waving.
42. Kavya (काव्य) – Art of poetry and literature.
43. Nati katha (नाटिकथा) – Art of storytelling and narration.
44. Vina damuraka vadya (वीणादमरुकवाद्य) – Art of playing the veena and small drums.
45. Prahelika (प्रहेलिका) – Art of solving riddles and puzzles.
46. Durvacaka yoga (दुर्वाचकयोग) – Art of mispronunciation for humor.
47. Vrihanna ketu (वृहन्नकेतु) – Art of concealing. (लपविण्याची कला)
48. Balaka kridanaka (बालकक्रीडनक) – Art of making children’s toys.
49. Vaijayanti shastra (वैजयन्तीशास्त्र) – Art of preparing magical or alchemical substances.
50. Khida (खिड़ा) – Art of various games and sports.
51. Karnapatra bhanga (कर्णपत्रभङ्ग) – Art of making ear ornaments.
52. Sugandhadiyoga (सुगन्धादियोग) – Art of using perfumes and aromatics.
53. Bhushanayojana (भूषणायोजना) – Art of using jewelry and adornments.
54. Indrajala (इन्द्रजाल) – Art of illusion and magic.
55. Kautukika (कौतुकिका) – Art of making fun and amusements.
56. Vainayaki vidya (वैनायकीविद्या) – Art of enforcing discipline.
57. Kushalata (कुशलता) – Art of skillfulness in various tasks.
58. Hasta laghavam (हस्तलाघवम्) – Art of sleight of hand. (हातचलाखी)
59. Chitrayoga (चित्रयोग) – Art of making decorations.
60. Malya grathana (माल्यग्रहण) – Art of garland making. (फुलांची आणि पानांची वर्तुळाकार रचना केलेली माळ)
61. Manibandh vidya (मणिबन्धविद्या) – Art of making bracelets.
62. Sharira madhya (शरीरमाध्यम) – Art of beautifying the body.
63. Chitra shala (चित्रशाला) – Art of painting galleries.
64. Vastra rachanam (वस्त्र रचनम्) – Art of designing clothes.

These 64 Kalas collectively represent a holistic approach to education, blending artistic, practical, and intellectual pursuits to develop a well-rounded individual.

Shilpa Śāstra:

Shilpa Shastra is an ancient Indian text that teaches the art of sculpture, architecture, and iconography. It guides how to build temples, create statues, and depict deities with beauty and spiritual meaning. It’s about preserving cultural heritage and creating art that uplifts the spirit.

References:

https://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part5/chap3.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icFyyhfEmGc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Fy-5Ptpcc

FAQ:

What are the Fourteen Branches of Knowledge (Caturdasha-vidya-sthana)?

The Fourteen Branches of Knowledge refer to ancient Indian subjects encompassing the Four Vedas, Six   Vedangas, and Four Upavedas.

What are the Four Vedas and what do they consist of?

The Four Vedas are Rigveda (hymns), Samaveda (chants), Yajurveda (rituals), and Atharvaveda (spells and practical wisdom).

What are the Six Vedangas and their purposes?

The Six Vedangas are Phonetics (Shiksha), Meter (Chandas), Grammar (Vyakarana), Etymology (Nirukta), Rituals (Kalpa), and Astronomy (Jyotisha), aiding in Vedic interpretation.

What are the Four Upavedas and their focuses?

The Four Upavedas are Ayurveda (medicine), Dhanurveda (warfare), Gandharvaveda (music and arts), and Sthapatyaveda (architecture and engineering).

What are the 64 Kalas (skills or arts) and their significance?

The 64 Kalas represent diverse skills in arts, crafts, sciences, and practical knowledge, fostering holistic education and cultural enrichment in ancient India.