VASISTHA continued:
All achievements are dependent upon four factors: time, place, action and means. Among these, action or effort holds the key because all endeavours towards the achievement are based on action or effort.
Some perverse practices also prevail, and they are said to make achievements possible. Especially in the hands of immature practitioners they are conducive to great harm. To this category belong the magic pill or unguent or wand, as also the use of gems, drugs, self-mortification and magic formulae. The belief that the mere dwelling in holy places like Srisaila or Meru enables one to attain spiritual perfection, is also defective.