1002
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
[Canto 3, Ch. 25]
the platform of goodness. In the mode of goodness one's knowledge expands. On the platform of passion there is no knowledge, for passion is simply an impetus to enjoy material benefits. On the platform of ignorance there is no knowledge and no enjoyment but simply life almost like that of animals.
The  Vedas  are meant to elevate one from the mode of ignorance to the platform of goodness. When one is situated in the mode of goodness he is able to understand knowledge of the self, or transcendental knowledge. This knowledge cannot be appreciated by any ordinary man. Therefore, since a discipline succession is required, this knowledge is expounded either by the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself or by His bona fide devotee. Śaunaka Muni also states here that Kapila, the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, took His birth or appearance simply to appreciate and disseminate transcendental knowledge. Simply to understand that one is not matter but spirit soul ( aham brahmāsmi : "I am by nature Brahman") is not sufficient knowledge for understanding the self and his activities. One must be situated in the activities of Brahman, and that knowledge is explained by the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. Such transcendental knowledge can be appreciated in human society but not in animal society, as clearly indicated here by the word  nṛṇām , "for the human beings." Human beings are meant for regulated life. By nature, there is regulation in animal life also, but that is not like the regulative life as described in the scriptures or by the authorities. Human life is regulated life, not animal life. In regulated life only can one understand transcendental knowledge.
TEXT 2
न ह्यस्य वर्ष्मणः पुंसां वरिम्णः सर्वयोगिनाम् । विश्वतौ श्रुतदेवस्य भूरि तृष्यन्ति मेऽसवः ॥ २ ॥
na hy asya varṣmaṇaḥ puṁsāṁ varimṇaḥ sarva-yoginām viśrutau śruta-devasya bhūri tṛpyanti me 'savaḥ
na—not; hi—indeed; asya—about Him; varṣmaṇaḥ—the greatest; puṁsām—among men; varimṇaḥ—the foremost; sarva—all; yoginām—of yogīs;