Vedapedia: Categorization of Pages

Vedapedia: Article Classification

Categorization in Vedapedia is not just a library catalog. It reflects the very tree-like structure of Vedic knowledge, where each specific discipline is connected to the Absolute Truth.

1. Types of categorization

For the convenience of navigation and quality management, articles in the encyclopedia are classified along several intersecting axes.

By level of depth in the paradigm:

• Level 1: Paradigm Core. (Fundamental texts of the tradition).
  • Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada: system of Vedic knowledge.
• Level 2: Paradigm Foundation. (Development of basic theories and practices).
• Level 3: Paradigm Development. (Application to the conditions of modern culture).
• Level 4: Subsequent paradigm levels. (Description of other paradigms).

By type of articles:

• Service articles: Vedapedia about the platform.
• Encyclopedic articles.
• Research articles.
• Historical articles: scientists, schools, crises.
• Concepts.
• Text analysis.
• Thematic quotation collections.
• Portals: Summarizing topics of directions.

Belonging to a paradigm:

• Vedic paradigm.
• Modern science: Theories from different paradigms and their combinations, outside the Bhagavata school from the point of view of its methodology (Materialistic paradigm, Dualistic paradigm, Idealistic paradigm).

2. Category: Paradigm level

The paradigm has its own gradation of areas from general to specific:

• Category: Paradigm postulates.
• Category: Ontological postulates.
• Category: Methodological postulates.
• Category: Paradigm theories.
• Category: Paradigm technologies.

3. Tree-like structure of directions

We have identified the main areas of science for a civilization of a modern level of complexity in accordance with the UDC system (https://udcsummary.info/) and arranged them in accordance with the increasing manifestation of the Absolute in reality. They can be compared with the themes of the Mahapuranas: from sarga to ashraya.

The branching of the knowledge system from the general to the specific (from subtle to gross) is not always linear, and theories do not always correspond to a group of technologies.

The general direction includes Postulates (Theology, Philosophy, Methodology). Universal subcategories of methodological postulates: Logic, Theory of knowledge, Epistemology. Within each subsequent direction, subcategories and unique theories of the Vedic paradigm can be distinguished.

When categorizing, it is important to strictly distinguish between universal categories and unique theories of paradigms of different levels. Since the Vedic paradigm is complete, its unique theories are the most complete and include all the rest in a non-contradictory way. (For example, is bureaucracy a universal technology, can it take Sanskrit names and be at the proper level of complexity?).

Paradigm Directions (Theories and Technologies)

Topic / Area	Theories (explain reality)	Technologies (satisfy a need)
General	Mathematics: algebra, geometry, number theory, probability theory. Physics: space, time, gravity, acoustics, vibration, optics, theory of light and color, gravitation, plasma, aerodynamics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, atomism, kinematics, hydromechanics, mechanics.	Applied mathematics: computational mathematics, information technologies. Physics: standardization of products and measures, engineering, vastu, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, furniture and plumbing, interior decoration, military equipment, hydraulic engineering, transport, communications, agricultural machinery, materials science, energetics, metallurgy, clothing and jewelry production, precision mechanics.
1. Nature (sarga) 16 elements maha-bhutas	Chemistry: chemical elements, inorganic and organic compounds, mineralogy, crystallography. Astronomy: celestial mechanics, eclipses, geophysics. Geology: seismology, geomagnetism, volcanism, tectonics, glaciers, marine geology (floods), oceanography, mountains, meteorology, climatology, historical geology, petrology, hydrology. General: ecology.	Chemistry: materials analysis, chemical standards, fuel, industry, paints, food industry, polymers. Applied astronomy: navigation, geodesy, calendar, chronology of epochs, astrology. Geology: mining, minerals, natural energy resources.
2. Living beings (visarga) tan-matras	Paleontology: collective evolution. Category: Biology: nature of life, cosmic biology, genetics, heredity, evolution, systematic biology, cell biology, virology, microorganisms, ecosystems.	Biology and Botany: agriculture (farming systems, field crop cultivation, horticulture, vegetable growing, soil science, fertilizers), forestry, woodworking, textile industry. Zoology: animal husbandry (horses, cows, birds, dogs and cats), insect breeding (beekeeping, silk), hunting, fishing, leather industry, bionics.
3. System of functioning (sthanam) indriyas	Zoology, Botany and biopsychology, anthropology (origins, races). Category: Anatomy: embryology, cytology, histology, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, lymphatic and genitourinary systems, musculoskeletal system. Category: Cosmology: galaxy, origin and changes, planets, satellites, stars, comets. Category: Medicine	Applied medicine: topographic anatomy, hygiene, dietetics, daily routine (dinacharya), pharmacology, therapy. Diagnostics. Surgery. Orthopedics. Obstetrics. Childcare.
4. Content of consciousness (poshanam) prana	Category: Physiology: metabolism, homeostasis, immunity, blood circulation, respiration, digestion, nutrition, secretions, excretions, reproduction, birth, aging, movement, voice, skin, nervous system, brain, senses, sleep. Pathology. Clinical medicine. Category: Psychology Psychophysiology: psychosomatics, nervous system, endocrine system (chakras), hemopsychology, breathing and psyche (pranayama), food and psyche, psychomotor skills, heredity. Theory of consciousness: structure of consciousness, sensation and perception, theory of emotions, will, attention, memory, imagination, intellect. Psychology of development: stages, heredity, environment and psychology of sex, typology. Abilities. Physiognomy. Genius. Creativity. Psychology of personality. Altered states of consciousness: parapsychology, hypnosis, trance, sleep. Psychopathology: nature of deviations, illusions, hallucinations, intoxication, phantom sensations, dissociation, confusion.	Public health: sanitation, epidemiology. Veterinary medicine. General psychology: psychodiagnostics, testing, career guidance, astro-psychological and spiritual diagnostics, physiognomy. Clinical psychology: correction of deviant behavior (prayashchitta), correction of addictions (tapasya), trauma therapy, correction of depressive sufferings, therapeutic mechanisms (diet, sound), family and behavioral therapy, hygiene of the nervous system (sattva-vidjaya), digital hygiene. Pedagogical psychology: training of cognitive functions, deprivation and control, visualization, imagination, sublimation, emotional management. Work psychology: theory of activity, ergonomics, motivation, leadership, burnout, business ethics. Legal psychology: criminal and investigative psychology, lie detection, victimology. Positive psychology: psychotechniques.
5. Activity (uti) manas	Category: Sociology Social processes: theory of activity, structure of needs and motivations of personality, motivation to activity. Social structure: stratification, social institutions, social groups (ashramas), role of women (stri-dharma).	Social processes: demography, social assistance, social standards, social guarantees, housing and equipment, communal household. Organization of maintenance and cooperation, family and marriage (kula-dharma), professional communities (jati-dharma).
6. Organization of maintenance (manvantara) buddhi	Category: Economics General issues of production: productivity, income, loss, GDP, production by industry. Finance: money, securities, prices, value, utility, credits, interest rates, inflation, trade, market, demand, supply, competition. Theory of land use: property, real estate, land use, planning, rent, housing management. Theory of labor: relations between worker and employer (yajamana), job satisfaction, remuneration, employment, career, working conditions, unemployment.	State economy: taxes, fees, central bank, stock exchanges, banks, funds, currency market, customs, national debt, investments (yajna), grants, consumer protection, charity (food distribution), market limitation (tapa). Organization of labor: economic structure, personnel management, office work, accounting, quality control, material and technical supply, advertising, PR. Commercial activity: financing, investments, marketing, sales.
7. Management (isha-anukatha) rule of dynasties ahankara	Category: Political Science, Law Principles of management and organization: management theory, planning, management psychology, positive factors, progress. Internal politics (State): state and people, nation (dharmic state), law (criminal, civil), authorities. External politics and law: subjects of international law (rajasuya), sovereignty, borders, law of war, diplomatic law, international criminal law. History. Geography.	Principles of management and organization: management, leadership, personnel policy, efficiency, quality, development processes, total quality management (TQM), administrative management. Internal politics: representation, assemblies, police, healthcare, sanitation, moral supervision, communications, legitimacy, judicial affairs. External politics and law: military affairs, diplomacy, espionage, alliances.
8. Values (nirodha) purification chitta	Religious studies: true religion, standards of virtues, the sacred, Deity (murti), Form of God and relationships with Him, faith (shraddha), scriptures, saints, teachers, ethics, comparison of beliefs, schisms, heresies.	Ritual studies (Pancharatra): customs, holidays, samskaras, confession (prayashchitta), purification, pilgrimage, liturgy, sacraments and rites. Etiquette: signs of respect, manners, hospitality, titles, virtues. Spiritual practice: sharanagati, shravanam, japa-meditation, prayer (vandanam), kirtan, raganuga.
9. Cognition of reality (mukti) realization atma	Science studies: concept of science, methodology, qualification, scientific foresight, dissemination of knowledge (facts and falsifications). Pedagogy: levels of learning, didactics, defectology. Linguistics: languages, writing systems, semiotics. Category: Philosophy. Category: Methodology: semiotics, semantics, phonetics, grammar.	Paradigm: language, structure, IT, leadership, civilizations. Science studies: Academy of Sciences (Bhaktivedanta Institute), libraries, scientific societies, scientific and technical information (NTI). Pedagogy: raising children, education (gurukula), professional education (varnashrama college), academic training.
10. Nature of the Absolute (ashraya) taking shelter Paramatma	Theology: nature of God and gods, problem of evil, problem of sin, death, liberation, rebirth, spiritual kingdom. Aesthetics: theory of the beautiful. Art studies: theory of art.	Mysticism (raganuga-bhakti): Art: clothing, jewelry, painting, design, music, cinema, literature, theater, dance, architecture, sculpture.

4. Article quality scale

Relying on the experience of Wikipedia, in order to identify low-quality articles and have the subsequent opportunity to systematically improve them, an article quality scale has been introduced. Quality is assessed by two criteria:

1. Author and editor qualification level.
2. Information processing level (from short "stubs" to complete "featured" articles).

See: Wikipedia: Article Quality Scale

Additional Aspects

1. Category naming rules (Terminology)

It is necessary to fix exactly how categories are named.

• Use of Sanskrit: Should a category be named [Category: Sarga] or [Category: Physics (Sarga)]? It is better to prescribe a standard (for example, always provide a clear English/Russian name with a possible duplication of the Sanskrit term).
• Singular and plural: Unify rules (for example, processes and abstract concepts in the singular: "Theology", objects and groups in the plural: "Vedic scriptures", "Acharyas").

2. Namespaces

MediaWiki allows you to separate articles technically. It is worth describing what namespaces exist in Vedapedia:

• (Main): For encyclopedic articles.
• Shastra: A separate space for publishing the original texts of sutras, shlokas, and original commentaries of the acharyas (to separate primary sources from encyclopedic analysis).
• Research: A space for publishing author's analytical articles and the results of debates that have not yet become the generally accepted siddhanta of the project.
• Portal: For the main pages of major directions (for example, "Portal: Sociology (Uti)").

3. Category intersection (Multi-categorization)

Vedic knowledge is holographic, and one object can belong to different branches. An instruction is needed on how to handle such cases.

• Example: Where does Ayurveda belong? It is both "Medicine" (Physiology) and "Spiritual practice" (if it is about maintaining the body for service).
• Rule: The article should be placed in the most specific (narrow) categories of each applicable direction, avoiding overload with unnecessary general tags.

4. Creating new categories (Regulations)

The tree of knowledge will grow. It is necessary to prescribe:

• Who has the right to create new categories (any participant or only the leader of the direction / administrator)?
• What should an editor do if they cannot find a suitable narrow category? (For example: place it in a broader parent category and write a request on the talk page of the portal).

5. Instruction: How to technically add categories

A brief tutorial block for beginners:

• A reminder that the tag [[Category: Name]] is placed at the very end of the article.
• How to use sorting keys (so that the article "Bhaktivedanta Swami" in the category "Acharyas" is sorted by the letter "B", and not "Shrimad").

6. Navigation templates

Besides categories (which are located at the bottom of the page), it is worth mentioning the use of navigation templates (infoboxes and sidebars). They help to visually link articles of one branch of the paradigm into a single block so that the reader immediately sees the structure (for example, a template with all the elements of varnashrama in the article "Kshatriya").