The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 12.175.8

12.175.8

kathaṃ sṛṣṭāni bhūtāni kathaṃ varṇavibhaktayaḥ |
śaucāśaucaṃ kathaṃ teṣāṃ dharmādharmāvatho katham || 8 ||

"Bharadwaja said, 'By whom was this world with its ocean, its firmament, its mountains, its clouds, its lands, its fire, and its wind, created? How were all creatures first created? Whence this distinction of castes? Whence the purity and the impurity of (behaviour), and whence the ordinances about virtue and vice, for living creatures? Of what kind is the life of living creatures? Where do they go who die? It behoveth thee to tell me everything about this and the other world.' Thus addressed about his doubts by Bharadwaja, the illustrious and regenerate Rishi Bhrigu who resembled Brahma itself, replied unto him, saying these words.'