Da Zhuang
Strength in Motion
When you receive Hexagram 34, Da Zhuang, the I Ching turns your attention to strength in motion. Great Strength. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
Great Strength. Hold firm and correct.
Classical (Legge)Ta Kwang indicates that (under the conditions which it symbolises) it will be advantageous to be firm and correct.
The Image
Thunder in its vigor above heaven. One who is centered takes no step that is contrary to what is right.
Classical (Legge)(The trigram representing) thunder in (its) vigour above that for heaven forms Ta Kwang. The superior man, in accordance with this, does not take a step which is not according to propriety.
The Changing Lines
Strength shown in the toes. Advance will lead to misfortune, most certainly.
Classical (Legge)(The subject) shows his strength in his toes. But advance will lead to evil — most certainly.
He exercises his strength only with the caution of firm and correct. Good fortune.
Classical (Legge)With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
The lesser person uses all his strength. The centered one does not. Even with firm and correct there would be peril. A ram butts against a fence and gets his horns entangled.
Classical (Legge)The small man uses all his strength; the superior man does not so. Even with firm correctness there would be peril. (The exercise of strength is like that of) a ram butting against a fence, and getting his horns entangled.
Firm and correct leads to good fortune, and occasion for regret disappears. He exerts his strength and the fence is opened, like the strength in the axle of a great wagon.
Classical (Legge)Firm correctness leads to good fortune, and occasion for repentance disappears. (The subject of this line) exerts his strength, and the fence is opened. (Or, like) the strength in the wheel-spokes of a large waggon, (his advance is irresistible).
He loses his ram-like strength in the ease of his position. There will be no occasion for regret.
Classical (Legge)(The subject) loses his ram(-like strength) in the ease of his position. (But) there will be no occasion for repentance.
A ram butts against a fence, unable either to retreat or to advance. No advantage in any direction. If he recognizes the difficulty of his position, good fortune.
Classical (Legge)A ram butts against a fence, and is unable either to retreat, or to advance as he would fain do. There will not be advantage in any direction. If he realise the difficulty (of his position), there will be good fortune.
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