Kun
Constrained by Limits
When you receive Hexagram 47, Kun, the I Ching turns your attention to constrained by limits. Exhaustion. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
Exhaustion. Yet there may be progress and success. For the firm and correct, for the truly great, good fortune. No error. If he speaks, his words will not be believed.
Classical (Legge)In (the condition denoted by) Khwan there may (yet be) progress and success. For the firm and correct, the (really) great man, there will be good fortune. He will fall into no error. If he make speeches, his words cannot be made good.
The Image
Marsh with its water drained away. Kun. The centered one stakes his life to carry out his purpose.
Classical (Legge)(The trigram representing) a marsh, and (below it that for a defile with) the water drained off from it, form Khwan. The superior man, in accordance with this, will sacrifice his life in order to carry out his purpose.
The Changing Lines
Bare buttocks straitened beneath the stump of a tree. He enters a dark valley. For three years he sees nothing.
Classical (Legge)One sits on the stump of a tree, and enters a dark valley. For three years he sees nothing.
He is hemmed in among wine and rich food. The red knee-covers of the ruler appear. It will be well to maintain sincerity, as in sacrifice. Action leads to misfortune, but he will be free from blame.
Classical (Legge)He is straitened amidst his wine and viands. There comes to him anon the red knee-covers (of the ruler). It will be well for him (to maintain his) sincerity (as) in sacrificing. Active operations (on his part) will lead to evil, but he will be free from blame.
Hemmed in before a great rock, grasping thorns. He enters his palace and does not see his wife. Misfortune.
Classical (Legge)He is straitened (as if) before a (great) rock, and lays hold of thorns. He enters his palace, and does not see his wife. There will be evil.
He comes slowly, hemmed in by a carriage of metal. Occasion for regret, but the end will be good.
Classical (Legge)He comes very slowly (to help the subject of the first line), straitened in a carriage of metal. There will be occasion for regret, but the end shall be good.
His nose and feet are cut off. He is hemmed in by officials in scarlet. He moves with calm, however, and is at peace. It will be well to hold sincerity, as in sacrifice.
Classical (Legge)His nose and feet are cut off. He is straitened by (his ministers in their) scarlet aprons. He is leisurely in his movements, however, and is satisfied. It will be well for him to be (as sincere as) in sacrificing (to spiritual beings).
Hemmed in among creeping vines, in a precarious place. He says to himself, 'If I move, I shall regret it.' If he does repent of past errors, good fortune in going forward.
Classical (Legge)He is straitened (as if) among creeping plants, or in a precarious position, and he says (to himself), 'If I move, I shall repent of it.' If he do repent of former errors, there will be good fortune in his going forward.
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