坤 → 升
Hexagram 2: The Receptive → Hexagram 46: Pushing Upward
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 2, 3).
Line 2
六二 直方大。不習无不利。
Six in the second place means: Straight, square, great. Without purpose, Yet nothing remains unfurthered.
Line 3
六三 含章可貞。或從王事。无成有終。
Six in the third place means: Hidden lines. One is able to remain persevering. If by chance you are in the service of a king, Seek not works, but bring to completion.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
憑河登山，道路阻難，求事少便。
Fording the river, climbing the mountain; the road is blocked and difficult. One’s endeavors find little ease.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Earth upon earth transforms into earth above wind — Pushing Upward. Wading rivers and climbing mountains, the road is blocked and hard. Endeavors find little convenience. Trees growing within the earth, the image of Sheng, represent gradual, steady ascent — wood pushing upward through soil. Yet the verse highlights the difficulty: the terrain resists, and nothing comes easily. From the Receptive to Pushing Upward, the flat earth develops vertical ambition, but ascent from level ground means confronting slopes and currents that flat terrain never presented. The verse is brief and blunt, matching its message: Pushing Upward is inherently effortful. The seed must crack the soil; the climber must find footholds. There is no shortcut in Sheng's slow, organic rise.
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