life begets life

During the Creation Varuna, the Presiding Deity in charge of the Cosmic Order called the Air, Fire and the Water and said: “It is the earth I am setting out. How shall it be?”.
Agni wanted the earth to be a fire ball. Varuna made its bowels filled with fire. Air suggested the earth should be a pot of incense; so it was. The wind gods blew health and cheer all around.
“Oh I shall water the earth so all life- forms can follow its course.” the streams watered the land and the sea was green and azure blue.
When the earth was ready Varuna set it upon a tortoise. The elements were perplexed. “Why a tortoise?”
“All your suggestions were good and I followed them,” explained Varuna. “But see how he still wobbles?” So I let a tortoise to give that stability.”
Varuna explained after he was finished.
“Why a tortoise? A mountain would have done better?” “Not for his shell alone,” the Deity interrupted, “stability of the earth can come only from the living, even if it be some small creature as this.”

benny