Messenger of the Gods Offers Mudgala Heaven
As Durvasa finishes blessing Mudgala, a messenger of the gods descends in a celestial chariot and tells him to ascend — he has earned heaven. But Mudgala does not climb aboard. Instead, he asks the messenger to describe heaven's qualities and its shortcomings before he decides, invoking the principle that seven steps together constitutes friendship with the righteous.
While Durvasa was still speaking, a messenger of the gods arrived before Mudgala.
The chariot was celestial — yoked to swans and cranes, fitted with networks of bells. It was coloured, divinely scented, and could travel wherever it wished. The messenger told the brahmana rishi: "O sage! Ascend this chariot. Through your deeds, you have obtained the supreme objective."
Mudgala looked at the chariot. He looked at the messenger. And then he did something unexpected.
He asked for a description.
"O messenger of the gods! I wish that you should describe to me the qualities of those who reside in heaven. What are the attributes of those who live there? What are their austerities and their resolutions? What is the divine happiness in heaven — and what are its shortcomings?"
He invoked an old principle: learned ones, who know about family customs, say that seven steps together is all that is required for friendship with the righteous. On the basis of that friendship, he said, I am now asking you.
"Without any hesitation, tell me the facts and what is prescribed. On hearing your words, I will act in accordance with them."
He did not refuse heaven. He did not accept it. He delayed — requesting full knowledge before acting, even when the reward was the highest a mortal could attain. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 543