The Branches of Knowledge: A Guide to All Subjects, Arts, and Inner Wisdom
A Compendium of Knowledge: A Sarvarthapedia Primer
This collection represents the vast and interconnected domains of human understanding, from the foundational principles of health and inquiry to the practical arts and inner wisdom that shape our existence. It is an invitation to explore knowledge in its many forms.
I. First Principles: The Foundations of Health and Inquiry
The pursuit of knowledge begins with understanding the nature of life itself and the tools we use to investigate it.
On Health and the Vital Force:
“In the healthy condition of man, the spiritual vital force (autocracy), the dynamics that animates the material body (organism), rules with unbounded sway, and retains all the parts of the organism in admirable, harmonious, vital operation, as regards both sensations and functions, so that our indwelling, reason-gifted mind can freely employ this living, healthy instrument for the higher purpose of our existence.”
“When a person falls ill, it is only this spiritual, self-acting (automatic) vital force, everywhere present in his organism, that is primarily deranged by the dynamic influence upon it of a morbific agent inimical to life; it is only the vital force, deranged to such an abnormal state, that can furnish the organism with its disagreeable sensations, and incline it to the irregular processes which we call disease; for, as a power invisible in itself, and only cognizable by its effects on the organism, its morbid derangement only makes itself known by the manifestation of disease in the sensations and functions of those parts of the organism exposed to the senses of the observer and physician, that is, by morbid symptoms, and in no other way can it make itself known.”
โ Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine
On Knowledge and Power:
“Knowledge and human power are synonymous since the ignorance of the cause frustrates the effect; for nature is only subdued by submission, and that which in contemplative philosophy corresponds with the cause in practical science becomes the rule.”
โ Sir Francis Bacon, Novum Organum (1620)
II. The Arts of Life: The 64 Arts of the Kama Sutra
A classical framework for a cultured and fulfilled life, these arts encompass creative expression, practical skills, and social grace.
Creative & Performing Arts
- Singing (Indian & Western)
- Playing a musical instrument
- Dancing
- A combination of singing, playing instruments, and dancing
- Writing and drawing
- The Art of Tattooing
- Adorning an idol with flowers
- The art of spreading flowers on a bed or on the ground
- Coloring fabrics, nails, and bodies with colors from plants
- Fixing colored glass tiles on the floor
- Producing music by striking glasses of water
- The art of picture-making and decorating
- Stage playing
- The art of making ear ornaments
- The skill of imitating natural sounds
- Reading, chanting, and intoning
- Mastering tongue twisters
- Composing poems
- The skill of reading and composing verses
- Making artificial flowers
- Making images with clay
Crafts & Practical Skills
- The art of making a bed
- The art of storing water in reservoirs
- Making rosaries, necklaces, and garlands
- Tying turbans
- Making combination drinks and flavored drinks (e.g., lemonades, sherbet)
- Tailoring and sewing
- Making handicrafts (e.g., parrots, flowers from thread)
- Carpentry
- Architecture
- Gardening
- Knowledge of making flower chariots
- The art of impersonation
- Impersonation of materials (e.g., making cotton appear to be silk)
Sciences & Technical Arts
- The art of making perfumes
- Proper care of jewels, decorations, and ornaments
- Knowledge about gold, silver, and gems
- Chemistry (knowledge of properties of materials)
- The art of coloring jewels or beads
- Knowledge of mines
- Skills in sports and games
Intellectual & Strategic Arts
- Skills to solve riddles, puzzles, and interpret covert speeches
- The skill of Antakshari
- Skills in martial arts (sword, stick, bow, and arrow)
- Skill to reach logical conclusions based on given facts
- Understanding of code language
- Spoonerism (purposefully interchanging letters in speech)
- Knowledge of languages
- Knowledge of making mystical graphics, spells, charms, and counter-spells
- Mental exercises
- Knowledge of dictionaries and vocabulary
- Knowledge of gambling
- Using mantras (enchantments)
- The art of social conduct, paying respect, and sending compliments
- Knowledge of war, arms, and army deployment
- Knowledge of gymnastics
- The skill of knowing a person’s true character from their conduct
- The skills of enjoying arithmetic puzzles
Ritual & Esoteric Arts
- Magic (sorcery)
- Manual skills (general dexterity)
- Cooking (culinary skills)
- The art of cock fighting (and training animals for combat)
- Teaching parrots or starlings to talk
- Applying perfumes on the body and hair
III. Domains of Modern General Knowledge
A contemporary overview of the major fields of human inquiry.
- Art
- Biology
- Culture
- Communication Skill
- Cookery
- Discovery and Exploration
- Fashion
- Film
- Finance
- Games
- General Science
- Geography
- History
- History of Science
- Law
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Music
- Politics
- Sport
- Technology
- Television
IV. Philosophical Frameworks: Classifying Knowledge
Great thinkers have long sought to categorize the branches of knowledge, offering timeless frameworks for understanding.
Aristotle’s Three Types of Knowledge:
- Episteme (Scientific Knowledge): Theoretical know-why, concerned with universal truths and fundamental principles.
- Technรฉ (Skill and Crafts): Technical know-how, the practical art of making or doing.
- Phronesis (Wisdom): Practical knowledge and ethics, guiding prudent action in specific situations.
Kautilya’s (Chanakya) Branches of Knowledge (from the Artha Shastra):
- Anviksiki (Logical Analysis): The philosophy of inquiry and reason.
- Trayee (The Vedas): The threefold communication of poetical, prose narrative, and musical knowledge.
- Barta (Business): Knowledge of economics, agriculture, and commerce.
- Dandaniti (Political Science): The science of governance and law.
A King’s Duty to Protect Knowledge:
Gฤndharvaแน nแนttam ฤlekhyaแน vฤdyaแน ca gaแนitaแน kalฤแธฅ เฅค arthaลฤstraแน dhanurvedaแน yatnฤd rakแนฃen mahฤซpatiแธฅ เฅฅ
(Music, dance, painting, discourse, mathematics, technologies, economics, and military science, a king should painstakingly protect.)
โ Chanakya, Chanakya Niti
V. The Inner World: A “Know Thyself” Approach to Knowledge
True wisdom also requires a deep and honest exploration of the self. This domain focuses on internal awareness and the human condition.
Trauma
Acting / Dramatics
Anger / Arrogance
Assessments
Awareness (Situational)
Body Image
Body Language
Boredom
Brain Function & Control
Clothes & Makeup
Complaining
Confidence
Death Consciousness
Depression
Ego
Emotions
Ethics & Good Standing
Exposure to Violence
Fear
Focus
Forgiveness
Goals
Grieving
Happiness
Heredity
Human Nature
Identity (Self)
Life Quotes & Philosophy
Lying and the Art of Concealing
Meditation
Mental Health
Morality
Observations
Over-reacting
Patience
People Smarts (Interpersonal Intelligence)
Personality
Physical Health
Positive Thinking
Reality
Relationships
Routines
Sanity
Self-Control
Self-Discipline
Self Smarts (Intrapersonal Intelligence)
Social Intelligence
Spirituality
Stress
Suicidal Tendencies
Therapy
Human Traits
Will Power
Worry