益 → 升
Hexagram 42: Increase → Hexagram 46: Pushing Upward
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 5 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 6).
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 5
九五 有孚惠心。勿問元吉。有孚惠我德。
Nine in the fifth place means: If in truth you have a kind heart, ask not. Supreme good fortune. Truly, kindness will be recognized as your virtue.
Line 6
上九 莫益之。或擊之。立心勿恆。凶。
Nine at the top means: He brings increase to no one. Indeed, someone even strikes him. He does not keep his heart constantly steady. Misfortune.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
諷德誦功，美周盛隆。加其旦輔，光濟沖人。
Reciting virtue and chanting merit, praising the splendor of Zhou. Adding a dawn minister to aid and illumine the young sovereign.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Wind and thunder bestow increase, and the transformation leads to earth rising above wind — the steady ascent of Pushing Upward. Reciting virtue and praising achievement, one celebrates the flourishing glory of Zhou. Adding the support of the Dan ministers, their radiance sustains the young ruler. 'Praising virtue and reciting merit' evokes the court hymns of the Shijing that celebrated Zhou's founders. The 'Dan ministers' likely refers to the Duke of Zhou (named Dan) and the elder statesmen who guided the young King Cheng. Their brilliance did not overshadow but illuminated the sovereign they served. From Increase to Pushing Upward, the tree grows from the earth's interior — organic, gradual, irreversible. The increase of loyal ministerial support allows the young state to push steadily upward into its full stature.
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