SB 5.8.28
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT 28
tatrāpi ha vā ātmano mṛgatva-kāraṇaṁ bhagavad-ārādhana-samīhānubhāvenānusmṛtya bhṛśam anutapyamāna āha.
SYNONYMS
tatra api—in that birth; ha vā—indeed; ātmanaḥ—of himself; mṛgatva-kāraṇam—the cause of accepting the body of a deer; bhagavat-ārādhana-samīhā—of past activities in devotional service; anubhāvena—by consequence; anusmṛtya—remembering; bhṛśam—always; anutapya-mānaḥ—repenting; āha—said.
TRANSLATION
Although in the body of a deer, Bharata Mahārāja, due to his rigid devotional service in his past life, could understand the cause of his birth in that body. Considering his past and present life, he constantly repented his activities, speaking in the following way.
PURPORT
This is a special concession for a devotee. Even if he attains a body that is nonhuman, by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead he advances further in devotional service, whether by remembering his past life or by natural causes. It is not easy for a common man to remember the activities of his past life, but Bharata Mahārāja could remember his past activities due to his great sacrifices and engagement in devotional service.