Human birth is a rare gift for here is a chance for the jivatma to know its true nature and its relationship with the Supreme Brahman. But the extent to which a jivatma is able to realise this during a particular birth is the result of the samskaras, good and bad, earned in one’s past lives. Krishna shows that the yogabhyasa attained by a jivatma is an invaluable asset that automatically propels him to consolidate his spiritual wisdom, pointed out Sri M. V. Anantapadmanabhachariar in a discourse.
The case of Jadabharata typifies this truth. As Bharata the king, he had practised renunciation and lived a life of extreme devotion to the Lord. But due to some reason, he had slipped form his yoga and became attached to a deer at the time of his death. Bharata is born a deer and leads a life of isolation, indicating perhaps the previous life’s attainment that remains latent then. After this life, he is born as Jadabharata and is realised even from birth. This is how the case of Sabhari’s bhakti and moksha attainment can be explained.
She belonged to family of hunters and was not aware of sastras or the ascetic’s way of life. But without any effort, she was drawn into the company of Sage Matanga and his disciples and practised devotion to Rama of whom she had heard only from the sage. Her patient wait for Rama’s visit to the hermitage is the yoga siddhi that makes her behold the Lord in person and attain moksha in His presence. The story of Dharma Vyadha in the Mahabharata also endorses this truth that one can reach a high level of awareness by striving to perfect one’s skills and duties whatever be his calling in life. Kalidasa says Parvati, who had been Sati Devi in her previous birth, is able to recall the jnana at the appropriate time, without going through formal training.
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