79 : 1. There are seven branches of knowledge mentioned in the Puranas:—S. D., I, 192.
2. The Gnosis, the hidden Knowledge, is the seventh Principle, the six schools of Indian philosophy are the six principles.—S. D., I, 299.
These six schools are:

		a. The school of Logic     Proof of right perception.

		b. The atomic school     System of particulars.  Elements.  Alchemy and chemistry.

		c. The Sankhya school     System of numbers.  The materialistic school.  The theory of the seven states of matter or prakriti.

		d. The school of Yoga     Union.  The rule of daily life.  Mysticism.

e. The school of

		Ceremonial Religion     Ritual.  Worship of the devas or Gods.

		f. The Vedanta school     Has to do with non-duality.  Deals with the relation of Atman in man to the Logos.

3. There are four branches of knowledge to which H. P. B. specially refers—S.D., I, 192.  These four are probably those with which man has dealt the most, in this fourth round and fourth chain.  Compare S. D., I, 70, 95, 107, 227.
The four Noble Truths.  The four Vedas.  The four Gospels.  The four basic admissions.  The four ready Elements.  The four grades of Initiation.

		a. Yajna Vidya     The performance of religious rites in order to produce certain results.  Ceremonial magic.  It is concerned with Sound, therefore with the Akasha or the ether of space.  The "yajna" is the invisible Deity who pervades space.

Perhaps this concerns the physical plane?

		b. Mahavidya     The great magic knowledge.  It has degenerated into Tantrika worship.  Deals with the feminine aspect, or the matter (mother) aspect.  The basis of black magic.  True mahayoga has to do with the form (second aspect) and its adaptation to Spirit and its needs.

Perhaps this concerns the astral plane?

		c. Guyha vidya     The science of mantrams.  The secret knowledge of mystic mantrams.  The occult potency of sound, of the Word.

Perhaps this concerns the mental plane?

		d. Atma vidya     True spiritual wisdom.

4. Knowledge of truth is a common inheritance.—S. D., II, 47, 3.
5. Knowledge is a relative subject, and varies according to the grade achieved.

		a. Ranges of further knowledge open up before a planetary Logos.—S. D., II, 740.

		b. The four truths can be arrived at by unaided man.—S. D., III, 420.

6. Finally, Knowledge is a dangerous weapon:
This is due to:  Personal Selfishness.
It is only safe when:

		a. One gives oneself up to it, body, soul and spirit.—S. D., III, 62, 63.

		b. One has an unshakeable belief in one's own divinity.—S. D., III, 62, 63.

		c. One recognises one's own immortal Principle.

		d. One knows oneself:—S. D., III, 435, 436.

		e. All the virtues are practised.—S. D., III, 262.

		f. One has experience.—S. D., III, 481.

		g. One realises knowledge is the fruit of Spirit alone.—S. D., III, 453.

		h. Knowledge is acquired through the region of the higher mind.—S. D., III, 453.