[488] Bhikkhus, based upon the Himavant, king of mountains, the great sāla trees grow with three kinds of growth. Which three? They grow in branches, leaves, and foliage; they grow in bark and shoots; they grow in softwood and heartwood. Bhikkhus, based upon the Himavant, king of mountains, the great sāla trees grow with these three kinds of growth. In just the same way, bhikkhus, based upon a head of a family (kulapati) endowed with faith (saddhā), the people within his household grow with three kinds of growth. Which three? They grow in faith; they grow in virtue (sīla); they grow in wisdom (paññā). Bhikkhus, based upon a head of a family endowed with faith, the people within his household grow with these three kinds of growth.
Just as, depending on a rocky mountain
in the wilderness, in a great forest,
those lords of the forest, the trees, grow tall,
even so, depending here on a head of a family
endowed with faith and accomplished in virtue,
there grow his wife and children, his kinsmen,
his ministers, his circle of relatives,
and those who live in dependence upon him.
Seeing the virtue of that virtuous one,
his generosity (cāga) and his deeds of good conduct,
those who are discerning act likewise.
Having practiced the Dhamma here—
the path leading to a good destination—
delighting in the deva world,
they rejoice, enjoying the pleasures they desire.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.