ChatuhShashti Kala - 64 Ancient Indian Arts & Skills

ChatuhShashti Kala - 64 Ancient Indian Arts & Skills

Have you ever heard of Chatuhshashtikala - the Great Indian Arts & Skills and their meanings? - 

Have you ever wondered how our legendary saints, our Great Madhva Gurus Mastered the 64 Ancient Indian Arts #Chatuhshashtikala.

Long before modern schooling, ancient India followed a classic curriculum of 64 sacred sciences, crafts, and fine arts.

I am re-sharing my deep-dive research (PDF) on this profound heritage today. This research holds a very special place in my journey. Back in 2018, this work caught the attention of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), who left these wonderful words on my blog (see image appended below!) "It's been really good to see the blog!" — IGNCA Receiving their appreciation was an absolute honor and a testament to the timeless value of our cultural legacy. What’s inside the PDF?

The 64 Arts: A detailed breakdown from classical music and poetry to metallurgy and ancient sciences.

Historical Legacy: A deep dive into the mastery of historical sages like Sri Vijayeendra Theertharu. Several historical accounts and miracles prove the Sri Vijayeendra Theertha Swamiji's absolute proficiency across different domains. He used these skills to reinforce faith in sacred scriptures rather than for personal fame.

Cultural Preservations: Insights into how these unique skills shaped the holistic Indian worldview.

Immersing ourselves in these roots helps us appreciate the depth of our identity. Have a look at the attached document to explore this classic curriculum!

Read the full document below - Link from my digital library

https://archive.org/details/chatuhshashtikala-64-ancient-indian-arts

India, also known as Hindu Desa or Bharatha Desa is the land of God; religion, temples, sacred scripts, great sages; saints; philosophers; scientists, history, great rulers, traditions, festivals etc. incredibly rich in culture and heritage. Indian culture is unique culture. Since yore, several civilizations have come into being and later came to an end but, Hinduism is still flourishing; it is the oldest civilization on earth. Human excellence depends on the development of culture. Many small civilizations were formed but were confined to small regions. Only Indian civilization and culture has spread across the world and can be called as the first world culture. That’s why people from across the world will be longing to visit India to study and learn the great Indian culture.

Indian culture is human culture; the one that focuses on inculcating human values in a man. Culture of India refers to the way of life of the people of India. Indian culture often labeled as an amalgamation of several cultures spans across the Indian sub continent and has been influenced by a history that is several millions of years old. Every school of thought is a part and parcel of Indian culture. In the words of Max Muller (German Indologist) “If I am asked which nation had been advanced in the ancient world in respect of education and culture then I would say it was India”

Art is a subdivision and essential part of culture. Since beginning of time, Arts have existed and have been used to display mans’ life, struggles, tales, traditions etc. The arts are essential parts of the human experience and can be seen as a reflection of the society. Arts and culture preserve our heritage. Nowhere in the world have we come across such a great variety of arts/skills except in India.

It is how the concept of Chatuhshashti Kala – Sixty four Great Indian Arts has come in to being, prevailing since pouranic days. In the good olden days of ancient India (Gurukula) traditionally people were taught in one or more of the skills according to their aptitude for livelihood. They were sixty four (64) in number grouped together called as Chatuhshashti Kala, a classic curriculum of sacred sciences; arts; skills etc.

Please find below a compilation of the great Indian arts and skills with possible nearest interpretation.

S.No	Art/skill	Possible interpretation
1	Ithihaasam	Science relating to the study of epics/legends/history
2	Aagamam	Aagama Saastra - work that describes the methodology of temple worship; construction of temples; creation of divine idols/icons and their consecration etc.
3	Kaavyam	Study of Literature
4	Alankaaram	Text of rhetoric (vocabulary/speech/idioms)-figure of speech
5	Naatakam	Drama/Acting/Play
6	Gaayakatvam	Singing
7	Kavitvam	Poetry
8	Kaamasaastra	Science/art of Sex making
9	Durodaram	Gambling/Dice playing
10	Desabhasha (Lipijnaanam)	Science of language based on a study of languages of different countries
11	Lipikarma	Knowledge of different languages and  scripts
12	Vaachakam	Art of speaking/speech
13	Avadhaanam	A literary performance - Capability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously – skill of attentiveness
14	Swara-saastram	Study of secrets of breathing and its techniques (subtle knowledge)
15	Saakunam (Sakuna saastra)	Study relating to Omens & its predictions
16	Saamudrikam (Samudrika Saastra) Physiognomy	Study relating to the marks on the body (palmistry; study of moles; face reading; aura reading etc.)
17	Ratna-Saastram	Gemology (Study of precious stones)
18	Ratha-Kausalam	Skill/proficiency in Charioteering (riding chariots) and their management
19	Aswa-Kausalam	Skill/proficiency in Horse riding and their management
20	Gaja-Kausalam	Skill/proficiency in Elephant riding and their management
21	Malla-Saastram	Deals with study of different types of gymnastics, athletic activities like body building; wrestling etc
22	Suuda-karma	Art of cooking/preparing foods
23	Dohadam	Art of Gardening – Science relating to planting and their maintenance
24	Gandhavaadam	Skill in Perfumery/aromatics;
25	Dhaatu-vaadam	Proficiency in the study of metals and their applications – Metallurgy
26	Khani-vaadam (Khanija)	Proficiency in the study of mines/minerals
27	Rasa-vaadam	Skill in Alchemy (medieval form of chemistry)
28	Jala-vaadam	Art of swimming
29	Agni-Sthambhana	Resistance to fire/ fire management
30	Khadga-Stambhana	Preventing progress of / resistance to  sword fighting/invulnerability to swords
31	Jala-Stambhana	Water resistance (remaining submerged under water for a long duration)
32	Vaayu-Stambhana	Air resistance
33	Vaakk-Stambhana	Paralysis of speech–Controlling usage of mouth
34	Vasyam (Vaseekarana)	Art of bringing one under control  by means of enchantment; manthra or Thanthra; subjection
35	Aakarshanam	Art of attracting others
36	Mohanam	Whimsical – Bewilder – Mystifying
37	Vidveshanam	Skill in creating conflicts/enmity
38	Uchhaatanam	Expelling by means of magic
39	Maaranam	Act of killing/destroying enemies
40	Paadukaasiddhi	Power of flying – ability to travel at great speed
41	Vaakksiddhi	Attaining power of making prophetic predictions (spoken words) which turn out to be true
42	Kaalavanchana	Ancient practice of Vedic meditation (behind the scene look at creation)  Yoga of Time travel
43	Parakaaya-pravesam	One’s soul entering into another’s body
44	Indrajaalikam	Skill in performing magic/jugglery
45	Anjanam	Skill in viewing distant objects by using a magical ointment
46	Drushti-Vanchanam	Inner eye (vision) having perception beyond ordinary sight
47	Swara -Vanchanam	Mimicry/Ventriloquism
48	Mani Manthra Aushada Siddhi (Mani-Manthrshadadi)	Knowledge of healing with Gems; Manthras and Medicines
49	Chora-karma	Thievery/Art of catching thieves
50	Chitra-kriya	Painting
51	Loha-Kriya	Knowledge of metals and its usage
52	Asma-kriya	Work related to stones
53	Daaru-kriya	Carpentry/wood work
54	Mrutt-kriya	Pottery/work in clay
55	Venu-kriya	Knowledge of bamboo/flute making/handicrafts
56	Charma-kriya	Cobbling/manufacture leather goods
57	Ambara-Kriya	Textile manufacturing
58	Vaanijyam	Knowledge of commerce & trade
59	Adrusyakaranam	Art of disappearing
60	Doothi-karanam	Ambassadorship/messenger/envoy
61	Pasu-Paalyam	Animal husbandry/breeding or rearing of cattle
62	Aasava-karma	Preparation of liquor/Aayurvedic liquid medicines
63	Krushi	Agriculture
64	Praani-dyuta-kausalam	Skill in gambling with fighting animals

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu