tatrÄpi ha vÄ Ätmano má¹›gatva-kÄraṇaá¹ bhagavad-ÄrÄdhana-samÄ«hÄnubhÄvenÄnusmá¹›tya bhṛśam anutapyamÄna Äha
tatra api - in that birth; ha vÄ - indeed; Ätmanaḥ - of himself; má¹›gatva-kÄraṇam - the cause of accepting the body of a deer; bhagavat-ÄrÄdhana-samÄ«hÄ - of past activities in devotional service; anubhÄvena - by consequence; anusmá¹›tya - remembering; bhṛśam - always; anutapya-mÄnaḥ - repenting; Äha - said.
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 MahÄrÄja could remember his past activities due to his great sacrifices and engagement in devotional service.