PURPORT

The entire Vedas are meant for the understanding of karma, jnana and yoga-fruitive activity, speculative knowledge and mystic yoga. Whatever way of spiritual realization we accept, the ultimate goal is Narayana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The living entities are eternally connected with Him via devotional service. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam, ante narayana-smrtih: the perfection of life is to remember Narayana at the time of death. Although Bharata Maharaja had to accept the body of a deer, he could remember Narayana at the time of death. Consequently he took birth as a perfect devotee in a brahmana family. This confirms the statement of Bhagavad-gita (6.41), sucinam srimatam gehe yoga-bhrasto 'bhijayate: "One who falls from the path of self-realization takes birth in a family of brahmanas or wealthy aristocrats." Although Maharaja Bharata appeared in the royal family, he became neglectful and took birth as a deer. Because he was very cautious within his deer body, he took birth in a brahmana family as Jada Bharata. During this lifetime, he remained perfectly Krsna conscious and preached the gospel of Krsna consciousness directly, beginning with his instructions to Maharaja Rahugana. In this regard, the word yogaya is very significant. The purpose of astaṅga-yoga, as stated by Madhvacarya, is to link or connect with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The goal is not to display some material perfections.