Volume 2 : Lights on the Teachings (2), Lights on the Ancients (2), Lights on the Fundamentals, Flame of White Light, The way of the Light
Volume 2 includes multiple books : Lights on the Teachings (2), Lights on the Ancients (2), Lights on the Fundamentals, Flame of White Light, The way of the Light.
Bhadram in the Veda is a very significant term; it means kalyanam, auspicious. Now to the meaning: To the Auspicious direct our mind (O Agni).
Importance is attached to it perhaps for the reason suggested in the next question. But we cannot say there is an importance attached to it which is not due to other mantras.
The special peculiarity lies in the fact that the prayer is at once short and pregnant with a meaning which is the attainment of the supreme, Bhadram. Nothing less, also nothing more, though one can read into it many things.
Certainly it is a special invocation to Agni who guards against all ills.
The very question anticipates the answer but it is always wise to discipline oneself and fix a time or any number of times and when the thing becomes habitual and deep so much so one cannot think of himself without feeling it and thinking it. This is the same as to say that one can do it at any time of the day etc.
If what is meant by Santi Path is the way that leads to withdrawal from life, nivrtti, then it overtly starts from the Upanishads. But an inward withdrawal is absolutely essential and without santi or peace no yoga, either in the path of the Veda or of the Upanishad is possible. In the Vedas santi, peace, a happy peace is one of the objects prayed for by the seers. But, they may have had their temporary periods of withdrawal from life for the purpose. But that was known to be the firm basis upon which they built the structure of their yoga.
August 1950
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