益 → 姤
Hexagram 42: Increase → Hexagram 44: Coming to Meet
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 4 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 3, 4).
Line 1
初九 利用為大作。元吉无咎。
Nine at the beginning means: It furthers one to accomplish great deeds. Supreme good fortune. No blame.
Line 2
六二 或益之十朋之龜。弗克違。永貞吉。王用享于帝吉。
Six in the second place means: Someone does indeed increase him; Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Constant perseverance brings good fortune. The king presents him before God. Good fortune.
Line 3
六三 益之用凶事。无咎。有孚中行。告公用圭。
Six in the third place means: One is enriched through unfortunate events. No blame, if you are sincere And walk in the middle, And report with a seal to the prince.
Line 4
六四 中行。告公從。利用為依遷國。
Six in the fourth place means: If you walk in the middle And report the prince, He will follow. It furthers one to be used In the removal of the capital.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
土階明堂,禮讓益興。雄二相得,使民无疾。
Earthen steps and a plain hall — ritual courtesy and deference flourish. Two leaders find accord and make the people free from affliction.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Wind and thunder bestow increase, and the transformation leads to heaven beneath which wind moves — the far-reaching proclamation of Coming to Meet. Earthen steps lead to the Bright Hall; ritual yielding and deference flourish ever more. Two worthy leaders find accord with each other, bringing the people health and freedom from illness. The 'earthen steps and Bright Hall' evoke the legendary simplicity of Emperor Yao's palace — unfired earthen stairs leading to the hall of governance, contrasting grandeur of purpose with austerity of means. The 'two worthies in accord' suggests paired ministers or rulers whose mutual deference strengthens the realm. From Increase to Coming to Meet, heaven sends its wind across all four directions. Virtuous governance, proclaimed from a humble throne, reaches everywhere without force.
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