Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.8.18
SB 3.8.18
Open the full passageSanskrit
ka eṣa yo 'sāv aham abja-pṛṣṭha etat kuto vābjam ananyad apsu asti hy adhastād iha kiñcanaitad adhiṣṭhitaṁ yatra satā nu bhāvyam
Translation
Lord Brahmā, in his ignorance, contemplated: Who am I that am situated on the top of this lotus? Wherefrom has it sprouted? There must be something downwards, and that from which this lotus has grown must be within the water.