Vishnupurana 1.6.p2.1

1.6.p2.1

Parāçara said,—"O foremost of twice-born ones, Brahmā of true intents was inspired with the desire of creating the kosmos from his mouth, O foremost of twice-born ones, came out creatures surcharged with the principle of goodness; and from the breast of Brahmā creatures surcharged with the principle of passion; and from his thighs came out beings surcharged with both goodness and foulness; and, O best of regenerate ones, from his feet Brahmā created other beings, who were impregnated with the principle of dullness. This is the fore-fold division into orders. And, O excellent Brāhmana, Brāhmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaiçyas and Sudras, came from the feet, the thighs, the chest and the mouth of Brahmā. O exalted one, Brahmā brought into being these four orders capable of satisfactorily performing sacrifices, in order to the successful celebration of them. O thou cognisant of righteousness, the celestials, gratified with sacrifices, in turn gratify creatures,—and therefore sacrifices conduce to welfare. It is men engaged in observing their proper morality, of pure ways, and good, and walking the path of righteousness,—who perform sacrifices. It is by virtue of having been born as human beings that men, O ascetic, can obtain heaven and emancipation; and, O twice-born one, that they can go to the wished-for regions. O foremost of ascetics, men (at the beginning) having been divided into four orders, were reverent and of excellent ways. Then they lived wherever they liked,—without any let.