Ramayana
प्रजापतिः पुरा सृष्ट्वा ह्यपः सलिलसम्भवः । तासां गोपायने सत्त्वानसृजत्पद्मसम्भवः ॥ 7-4-9 ॥
In ancient times Prajapati, the lotus-born one sprung from the waters, having first created the waters, brought forth beings for the guarding of those waters.
english translation