51/ 震 / ䷲ / The Arousing
the judgement
SHOCK brings success.
Shock comes—oh, oh!
Laughing words—ha, ha!
The shock terrifies for a hundred miles,
And he does not let fall the sacrificial spoon and chalice.
the image
Thunder repeated: the image of SHOCK.
Thus in fear and trembling
The superior man sets his life in order
And examines himself.
the lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Shock comes—oh, oh!
Then follow laughing words—ha, ha!
Good fortune.
Nine in the second place means:
Shock comes bringing danger.
A hundred thousand times
You lose your treasures
And must climb the nine hills.
Do not go in pursuit of them.
After seven days you will get them back again.
Six in the third place means:
Shock comes and makes one distraught.
If shock spurs to action
One remains free of misfortune.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Shock is mired.
Six in the fifth place means:
Shock goes hither and thither.
Danger.
However, nothing at all is lost.
Yet there are things to be done.
Six at the top means:
Shock brings ruin and terrified gazing around.
Going ahead brings misfortune.
If it has not yet touched one’s own body
But has reached one’s neighbor first,
There is no blame.
One’s comrades have something to talk about.
51/ 震 / ䷲ / The KĂn Hexagram
Explanation of the entire figure by king Wăn
Kăn gives the intimation of ease and development. When (the time of) movement (which it indicates) comes, (the subject of the hexagram) will be found looking out with apprehension, and yet
smiling and talking cheerfully. When the movement (like a crash of thunder) terrifies all within a hundred lî, he will be (like the sincere worshipper) who is not (startled into) letting go his ladle and (cup of) sacrificial spirits.
Explanation of the separate lines by the duke of Kâu
The first NINE, undivided,
shows its subject, when the movement approaches, looking out and around with apprehension,
and afterwards smiling and talking cheerfully. There will be good fortune.
The second SIX, divided,
shows its subject, when the movement approaches, in a position of peril. He judges it better to let go the articles (in his possession), and to
ascend a very lofty height. There is no occasion for him to pursue after (the things he has let go); in seven days he will find them.
The third SIX, divided,
shows its subject distraught amid the startling movements going on.
If those movements excite him to (right) action, there will be no mistake.
The fourth NINE, undivided,
shows its subject, amid the startling movements, supinely sinking (deeper) in the mud.
The fifth SIX, divided,
shows its subject going and coming amidst the startling movements (of the time), and always in peril;
but perhaps he will not incur loss, and find business (which he can accomplish).
The sixth NINE, undivided,
shows its subject, amidst the startling movements (of the time), in breathless dismay and looking round him with trembling apprehension.
If he take action, there will be evil. If, while the startling movements have not
reached his own person and his neighbourhood, (he were to take precautions), there would be no
error, though his relatives might (still) speak against him.
51/ 震 / ䷲ / Taking Action
decision
Taking Action.
Prosperous and smooth.
Thunder comes--alarm! alarm!
Laughing and talking--ha, ha!
Thunder shocks a hundred li.
The sacrificial spoon and chalice do not fall.
commentary on the symbol
Thunder is dual.
Action is doubled.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person with fearful mind
Is cultivating his virtue and examining his fault.
yao text (the lines)
Initial Nine
Thunder comes--alarm! alarm!
Afterward, laughing and talking--ha, ha!
Good fortune.
Second Six
Thunder comes.
Adversity.
Greatly losing treasures.
Climbing over nine hills,
Do not pursue.
Seven days: regained.
Third Six
Thunder comes, dispiriting, dispiriting.
Going forward like thunder:
No trouble.
Fourth Nine
Thunder comes.
Stuck in the mud.
He gets dripping wet.
Misfortune.
Fifth Six
Thunder comes, back and forth.
Adversity.
No great loss.
Something will happen.
Top Six
Thunder comes, trembling, trembling.
Gazes flustered, flustered.
Moving forward, misfortune:
Thunder affects not oneself,
But one's neighbors.
No fault.
The in-laws gossip.