[274] Setting at Sāvatthī. Bhikkhus, just as the nāgas, dwelling in dependence upon the Himavant, the king of mountains, grow in body and gain strength; when they have grown in body and gained strength there, they descend into the small pools; having descended into the small pools, they descend into the large pools; having descended into the large pools, they descend into the small rivers; having descended into the small rivers, they descend into the great rivers; having descended into the great rivers, they descend into the great ocean; and there they attain to greatness and vastness of body — even so, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, dwelling in dependence upon virtue (sīla), established in virtue, developing the Noble Eightfold Path (ariya aṭṭhaṅgika magga), cultivating the Noble Eightfold Path, attains to greatness and vastness in dhammas.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.