The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 1.85.21

1.85.21

aṣṭaka uvāca |
kiṃ svitkṛtvā labhate tāta lokānmartyaḥ śreṣṭhāṃstapasā vidyayā vā |
tanme pṛṣṭaḥ śaṃsa sarvaṃ yathāvacchubhām̐llokānyena gacchetkrameṇa || 21 ||

"Ashtaka said, 'How, O father, do men attain to those superior regions whence there is no return to earthly life? Is it by asceticism or by knowledge? How also can one gradually attain to felicitous regions? Asked by me, O answer it in full.'