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易經 I Ching: The Book of Changes

 Hexagram 26: Dà Chù [The Taming Power of the Great]


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Image
Heaven within the mountain.
Gèn (Keeping Still, Mountain) above, Qián (The Creative, Heaven) below.
Judgment
Under the conditions of Dà Chù it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. (If its subject do not seek to) enjoy his revenues in his own family (without taking service at court), there will be good fortune. It will be advantageous for him to cross the great stream.
In (the trigrams composing) Dà Chù we have (the attributes) of the greatest strength and of substantial solidity, which emit a brilliant light; and indicate a daily renewal of his virtue (by the subject of it). The strong line is in the highest place, and suggests the value set on talents and virtue; there is power (in the upper trigram) to keep the strongest in restraint:--all this shows "the great correctness" (required in The Judgment). "The good fortune attached to the subject's not seeking to enjoy his revenues in his own family" shows how talents and virtue are nourished. "It will be advantageous to cross the great stream:"--(the fifth line, representing the ruler,) is responded to by (the second, the central line of Qián, representing) Heaven.
(The trigram representing) a mountain, and in the midst of it that (representing) heaven, form Dà Chù. The superior man, in accordance with this, stores largely in his memory the words and deeds of former men, to subserve the accumulation of his virtue.
Line 1
The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject in a position of peril. It will be advantageous for him to stop his advance.
"He is in a position of peril; it will be advantageous for him to stop his advance:"--he should not rashly expose himself to calamity.
Line 2
The second NINE, undivided, shows a carriage with the strap under it removed.
"(He is as) a carriage from which the strap under it has been removed:"--being in the central position, he will incur no blame.
Line 3
The third NINE, undivided, shows its subject urging his way with good horses. It will be advantageous for him to realise the difficulty (of his course), and to be firm and correct, exercising himself daily in his charioteering and methods of defence; then there will be advantage in whatever direction he may advance.
"There will be advantage in whatever direction he may advance:"--(the subject of) the topmost line is of the same mind with him.
Line 4
The fourth SIX, divided, shows the young bull, (and yet) having the piece of wood over his horns. There will be great good fortune.
"The great good fortune indicated by the fourth SIX, (divided)," shows that there is occasion for joy.
Line 5
The fifth SIX, divided, shows the teeth of a castrated hog. There will be good fortune.
"The good fortune indicated by the fifth SIX, (divided)," shows that there is occasion for congratulation.
Line 6
The sixth NINE, undivided, shows its subject (as) in command of the firmament of heaven. There will be progress.
"In command of the firmament of heaven:"--the way is grandly open for movement.
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