A man obtains the object of the first step of asceticism by the aid of time (i.e. in due course), the second step by contact with the preceptor, the third by the energy of his own intellect and the next by discussion with others.
कालेन पादं लभते तथाऽर्थं ततश्च पादं गुरुयोगतश्च। च्छास्त्रेण पादं च ततोऽभियाति॥