Thus once upon a time the forefather of living entities and the father of religiousness, Lord Brahmā, situated himself in acts of regulative principles, desiring self-interest for the welfare of all living entities.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana
श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणम्
मूल श्लोकः
तं नारदः प्रियतमो रिक्थादानामनुव्रतः । शुश्रूषमाणः शीलेन प्रश्रयेण दमेन च
taṃ nāradaḥ priyatamo rikthādānāmanuvrataḥ | śuśrūṣamāṇaḥ śīlena praśrayeṇa damena ca
SB 2.9.40