The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 3.246.36

3.246.36

yadatra tathyaṃ pathyaṃ ca tadbravīhyavicārayan |
śrutvā tathā kariṣyāmi vyavasāyaṃ girā tava || 36 ||

"As the messenger of the gods was speaking thus, the sage told him, 'O divine messenger, I desire that thou mayst describe unto me the attributes of those that reside there. What are their austerities, and what their purposes? And, O messenger of the gods, what constitutes happiness in heaven, and what are the disadvantages thereof? It is declared by virtuous men of good lineage that friendship with pious people is contracted by only walking with them seven paces. O lord, in the name of that friendship I ask thee, 'Do thou without hesitation tell me the truth, and that which is good for me now. Having heard thee, I shall, according to thy words, ascertain the course I ought to follow.'"