Simple and pure food,clean and regulated conduct of life,society of saintly persons and study of lives of truly great ones,helps in attaining steadfastness in contemplation of Lord. When more and more time is devoted to contemplation of the Lord and wordly dealings are restricted to the bare necessary level,the intellect anchored on (Lord's) Name gets out of the clutches of sensual attachments.And,inwardly recognizes the presence of the True, the real self.Such steadfastness alone is called great penance.