Bharata Maharaj : Past karma carried in the subtle body can deviate us

Sukadeva Goswami states in SB 5.8.26 : "..........Due to the fruitive results of his past deeds, he fell down from mystic yoga, austerity and worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If it were not due to his past fruitive activity, how could he have been attracted to the deer after giving up the association of his own son and family, considering them stumbling blocks on the path of spiritual life? How could he show such uncontrollable affection for a deer? This was definitely due to his past karma."

When King Pracinabarhi inquires from Narada Muni about the transmigration of the soul Narada Muni explains how karma is carried by the subtle body during transmigration. In the new body the living entity gets a chance to fulfill his plans by the grace of the Supreme Lord. The living entity also suffers the good and bad reactions of his past life in the new body. The sinful reactions may also manifest in the form of desires not conducive for progress. This has been explained in great detail in this post:Liberation means getting out of the clutches of the subtle body..4.29.61 purport

If past karma could affect Bharat Maharaj in this way, causing him to deviate rom his practices what about all the past karma and desires we have. How powerful can they be? We are not even as pure as Bharata Maharaj who had left his family and kingdom to engage himself in achieveing the Ultimate goal.

• We need to be extremely careful of how we allow our desires to guide us. Association of devotees and sadhana is the safety net for this.
• We should also be extremely careful of what we expose ourselves now as that will manifest in the form of fesires or reactions in the future blocking our progress.