01. Intention or purpose or desire or zeal. (chanda).
Every time you perform a meritorious activity, first focus on the quality of your intention. Sometimes, a bad intention can turn otherwise good merit into a negative result; at other times a good intention can turn an otherwise bad action into a positive result.
02. Effort or energy or will. (viriya).
A desire or will to do something is not sufficient unless it is accompanied by appropriate effort or energy to persevere with the task until it’s completion in the face of distractions and obstacles that one may encounter on the way.
03. Consciousness or mind or thoughts. (citta).
Even if one has strong desire and effort in carrying out a particular task one also needs to be always conscious and mindful of the task in hand in order to carry it out until its conclusion.
04. Investigation or discrimination. (vīmaṃsā).
A spirit of investigation is necessary throughout the process of developing the mental powers listed and helps to maintain and facilitate all bases.