3/ 屯 / ䷂ / Difficulty at the Beginning
the judgement
DIFFICULTY AT THE BEGINNING works supreme success,
Furthering through perseverance.
Nothing should be undertaken.
It furthers one to appoint helpers.
the image
Clouds and thunder:
The image of DIFFICULTY AT THE BEGINNING.
Brings order out of confusion.
the lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Hesitation and hindrance.
It furthers one to remain perservering.
It furthers one to appoint helpers
Six in the second place means:
Difficulties pile up.
Horse and wagon part.
He is not a robber;
He wants to woo when the time comes.
The maiden is chaste,
She does not pledge herself
Ten years—then she pledges herself
Six in the third place means:
Whoever hunts deer without the forester
Only loses his way in the forest.
The superior man understands the signs of the time
And prefers to desist
To go on brings humiliation.
Six in the fourth place means:
Horse and wagon part.
Strive for union.
To go brings good fortune.
Everything acts to further.
Nine in the fifth place means:
Difficulties in blessing.
A little perseverance brings good fortune.
Great perseverance brings misfortune.
Six at the top means:
Horse and wagon part.
Bloody tears flow.
3/ 屯 / ䷂ / The Kun Hexagram
Explanation of the entire figure by king Wăn
Kun (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.
Explanation of the separate lines by the duke of Kâu
In the first NINE, undivided,
shows the difficulty (its subject has) in advancing.
It will be advantageous for him to abide correct and firm;
advantageous (also) to be made a feudal ruler.
The second SIX, divided,
shows (its subject) distressed and obliged to return;
(even) the horses of her chariot (also) 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.
The third SIX, divided,
shows one following the deer without (the guidance of) the forester, and
only finding himself in the midst of the forest.
The superior man, acquainted with the secret risks, thinks it better to give up the chase.
If he went forward, he would regret it.
The fourth SIX, divided,
shows (its subject as a lady), the horses of whose chariot appear in retreat.
She seeks, however, (the help of) him who seeks her to be his wife.
Advance will be fortunate; all will turn out advantageously.
The fifth NINE, undivided,
shows the difficulties in the way of (its subject's) dispensing the rich favours that might be expected from him.
With firmness and correctness there will be good fortune in small things;
(even) with them in great things there will be evil.
The topmost SIX, undivided,
shows (its subject) with the horses of his chariot obliged to retreat, and
weeping tears of blood in streams.
3/ 屯 / ䷂ / Beginning/ Zhun
decision
The beginning of a tiny sprout.
Sublimely prosperous and smooth.
Favorable to be steadfast and upright.
Do not act lightly.
There is somewhere to go.
Favorable to establish feudal lords.
commentary on the symbol
Clouds and thunder fill up.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person plans and sets things in order.
yao text (the lines)
Initial Nine
Lingering and considering.
Favorable to abide in being steadfast and upright.
Favorable to establish feudal lords.
Second Six
Difficulty in advancing, hard to proceed.
Mounting on horses, still not going forward.
Not invading, seeking a marriage.
The maiden is chaste, marries not.
After ten years, she marries.
Third Six
Chasing deer, no guide
In the midst of the woods.
The superior person is alert:
Give up!
Going forward: humiliation.
Fourth Six
Mounting on horses, still not going forward.
Seeking a union.
Going forward: good fortune.
Nothing is unfavorable
Fifth Nine
Assembling one's abundance.
Little things—
Being steadfast and upright:good fortune.
Great things—
Being steadfast and upright: guide against misfortune.
Top Six
Mounting on horses,
Still not going forward.
Weeping grievously,
Shedding tears as if bleeding