'O brahmin, what shall I do for you?' The preceptor of the gods then said to him: 'O illustrious god, enter the water.' Agni said: 'I cannot enter the water. Extinction awaits me there. I place myself in your hands, O you who shine with great splendor. May it be well with you!' Fire arises from water, the kshatriya caste from the brahmin caste, and iron has its origin in stone. The power of those things that can penetrate all else has no effect upon the very sources from which they spring.