Zhun
Difficult Beginnings
When you receive Hexagram 3, Zhun, the I Ching turns your attention to difficult beginnings. Difficulty at the Beginning brings great progress and success through being correct and firm. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
Difficulty at the Beginning brings great progress and success through being correct and firm. Any advance should be undertaken with care. There is advantage in establishing those who will lead.
Classical (Legge)Chun (indicates that in the case which it presupposes) there will be great progress and success, and the advantage will come from being correct and firm. (But) any movement in advance should not be (lightly) undertaken. There will be advantage in appointing feudal princes.
The Image
Clouds and thunder together form Zhun. The centered one brings order as one sorts the threads of warp and woof.
Classical (Legge)(The trigram representing) clouds and (that representing) thunder form Chun. The superior man, in accordance with this, (adjusts his measures of government) as in sorting the threads of the warp and woof.
The Changing Lines
Difficulty in advancing. It furthers to remain firm and correct, and to establish foundations.
Classical (Legge)Difficulty in advancing. It will be advantageous to abide correct and firm; advantageous (also) to be made a feudal ruler.
Distress, and forced to turn back. The horses of her chariot seem to retreat. She has encountered no enemy, only one who seeks her hand. The young woman holds firm and declines the union. After ten years she will be united, and bear children.
Classical (Legge)Distress and obliged to return; (even) the horses of her chariot (seem to be) retreating. (But) not by a spoiler (is she assailed), but by one who seeks her to be his wife. The young lady maintains her firm correctness, and declines a union. After ten years she will be united, and have children.
One pursues the deer without a guide and finds only the depths of the forest. The centered one, sensing the hidden risks, thinks it better to give up the chase. Going forward brings regret.
Classical (Legge)One pursues the deer without (the guidance of) the forester, and only finds himself in the midst of the forest. The superior man, acquainted with the secret risks, thinks it better to give up the chase. Going forward would lead to regret.
A woman in her carriage seeks union with her intended. Advance brings good fortune. All turns out well.
Classical (Legge)(The subject of this line is) as a lady, seeking, in her equipage, to be united (with her lord). Advance will be fortunate; all will turn out advantageously.
Difficulty in bestowing the generous gifts one might offer. Steadfastness brings good fortune in small matters. In great matters there will be trouble.
Classical (Legge)Difficulties in the way of (the subject's) dispensing the rich favours that might be expected of him. With firmness and correctness there will be good fortune in small things; (even) with it in great things there will be evil.
The horses of his chariot are forced to retreat. He weeps tears of blood.
Classical (Legge)(The subject of this line is) as the horses of his chariot (obliged) to retreat, and weeping tears of blood in streams.
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