And seeing Brahmā present before Him, the Lord accepted him as worthy to create living beings, to be controlled as He desired, and thus being much satisfied with him, the Lord shook hands with Brahmā and, slightly smiling, addressed him thus.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana
श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणम्
मूल श्लोकः
श्रीभगवानुवाच । त्वयाहं तोषितः सम्यग्वेदगर्भ सिसृक्षया । चिरं भृतेन तपसा दुस्तोषः कूटयोगिनाम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | tvayāhaṃ toṣitaḥ samyagvedagarbha sisṛkṣayā | ciraṃ bhṛtena tapasā dustoṣaḥ kūṭayoginām
SB 2.9.19