Da Xu
Containment of Potential
When you receive Hexagram 26, Da Xu, the I Ching turns your attention to containment of potential. Da Xu. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
Da Xu. Advantage in holding firm and correct. If he does not keep his revenues within his own household and takes service, good fortune. Advantage in crossing the great stream.
Classical (Legge)Under the conditions of Ta Khu 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.
The Image
A mountain holds heaven within it. The centered one stores the words and deeds of those who came before, accumulating virtue.
Classical (Legge)(The trigram representing) a mountain and in the midst of it that (representing) heaven, form Ta Khu. 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.
The Changing Lines
Danger. It furthers to stop advancing.
Classical (Legge)There is danger. It will be advantageous (for its subject) to stop his advance.
A carriage with the strap beneath it removed.
Classical (Legge)(He is as) a carriage from which the strap under it has been removed.
A good horse in pursuit. Advantage in recognizing the difficulty and holding firm and correct. Practice chariot-driving and defense. Advantage in moving in any direction.
Classical (Legge)A good horse in pursuit. It will be advantageous for (its subject) to realise the difficulty (of his position), and maintain firm correctness. (Let him practise) chariot-driving and defence against encroachments. It will be advantageous for him to move in any direction.
The young bull wears a board across its horns. Great good fortune.
Classical (Legge)The young bull (has) the piece of wood over his horns. Great good fortune.
The tusk of a castrated boar. Good fortune.
Classical (Legge)The tusk of a castrated boar. There will be good fortune.
Command of the road to heaven. Progress.
Classical (Legge)(Its subject is, as it were, in) command of the road to heaven. There will be progress.
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