Why is being born as a human considered such a special and fortunate event compared to being born as an animal or other creature?

Chapter 8 explains that the human birth is an exceptionally rare and fortunate event, described as the 'best of all' species and a prize obtained by 'gathering millions of merits.' Its value lies in a unique capacity that other species lack. While other creatures like animals are born and perish without any knowledge of their past, future, or the divine, only humans possess what the text calls the 'ladder of discrimination.' This faculty allows a person to engage in self-inquiry and ask profound questions like, 'Where did I come from? Who created me?' It is this ability to reflect on one's own existence and seek the divine that makes the human form so precious and the sole vehicle through which the Lord can be reached. Wasting this opportunity is considered a great loss.