Note 5 — Chapter XCII · (Vetála 18.)

“When the Vetála had told this story, he once more put a question to king Trivikramasena, after mentioning the same condition as before; “King, resolve this doubt of mine; tell me, why was the science lost to both of them, though the incantation was performed in the prescribed way?” When the brave king heard this speech of the Vetála’s, he gave him this answer; “I know, lord of magic, you are bent on wasting my time here, still I will answer. A man cannot obtain success even by performing correctly a difficult ceremony, unless his mind is firm, and abides in spotless courage, unhesitating and pure from wavering. But in that business the mind of that spiritless young Bráhman wavered, even when roused by his teacher,5 so his charm did not attain success, and his teacher lost his mastery over the charm, because he had bestowed it on an undeserving aspirant.”