蹇 Jiǎn Obstruction (Hardship) [hexagram 39]
Water over Mountain
Water element
Lunar month: 11 ; Host or Controlling line : 5
蹇: 利西南, 不利东北; 利见大人, 贞吉. Jiǎn: lì xī nán, bù lì dōng běi; lì jiàn dà ren, zhēn jí.
In (the state indicated by) Jian advantage will be found in the south-west, and the contrary in the north-east. It will be advantageous (also) to meet with the great man. (In these circumstances), with firmness and correctness, there will be good fortune.
彖传: 蹇, 难也, 险在前也. 见险而能止, 知矣哉! 蹇利西南, 往得中也; 不利东北, 其道穷也. 利见大人, 往有功也. 当位贞吉, 以正邦也. 蹇之时用大矣哉! Tuàn zhuàn: Jiǎn, nán yě, xiǎn zài qián yě. Jiàn xiǎn ér néng zhǐ, zhī yǐ zāi! Jiǎn lì xī nán, wǎng dé zhòng yě; bù lì dōng běi, qí dào qióng yě. Lì jiàn dà ren, wǎng yǒu gōng yě. Dāng wèi zhēn jí, yǐ zhèng bāng yě. Jiǎn zhī shí yòng dà yǐ zāi!Jian denotes difficulty. There is (the trigram expressive of) peril in front. When one, seeing the peril, can arrest his steps (in accordance with the significance of the lower trigram), is he not wise? (The language of) Jian, that 'advantage will be found in the south-west,' refers to the (strong fifth line) advanced and in the central place. That 'there will be no advantage in the north-east,' intimates that the way (of dealing with the Jian state) is exhausted. That 'it will be advantageous to see the great man,' intimates that advance will lead to achievement. That the places (of the different lines after the first) are those appropriate to them indicates firm correctness and good fortune, with which the regions (of the kingdom) are brought to their normal state. Great indeed is the work to be done in the time of Jian!
象传: 山上有水, 蹇; 君子以反身修德. Xiàng zhuàn: Shān shàng yǒu shuǐ, jiǎn; jūn zǐ yǐ fǎn shēn xiū dé.(The trigram representing) a mountain, and above it that for water, form Jian. The superior man, in accordance with this, turns round (and examines) himself, and cultivates his virtue.
初六: 往蹇, 来誉. Chū liù: wǎng jiǎn, lái yù.
From the first ‘six’, divided, we learn that advance (on the part of its subject) will lead to (greater) difficulties, while remaining stationary will afford ground for praise.
象传: 往蹇来誉, 宜待也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wǎng jiǎn lái yù, yí dài yě.‘Advancing will conduct to (greater) difficulties, while remaining stationary will afford ground for praise:’ - the proper course is to wait.
六二: 王臣蹇蹇, 匪躬之故. Liù èr: wáng chén jiǎn jiǎn, fěi gōng zhī gù.
The second ‘six’, divided, shows the minister of the king struggling with difficulty on difficulty, and not with a view to his own advantage.
象传: 王臣蹇蹇, 终无尤也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wáng chén jiǎn jiǎn, zhōng wú yóu yě.‘The minister of the king struggles with difficulty on difficulty:’ - in the end no blame will be attached to him.
九三: 往蹇来反. Jiǔ sān: wǎng jiǎn lái fǎn.
The third ‘nine’, undivided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and returns (to his former associates).
象传: 往蹇来反, 内喜之也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wǎng jiǎn lái fǎn, nèi xǐ zhī yě.‘He advances, (but only) to (greater) difficulty; he remains stationary, and returns to his former associates:’ - they, (represented in) the inner (trigram), rejoice in him.
六四: 往蹇来连. Liù sì: wǎng jiǎn lái lián.
The fourth ‘six’, divided, shows its subject advancing, (but only) to (greater) difficulties. He remains stationary, and unites (with the subject of the line above).
象传: 往蹇来连, 当位实也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wǎng jiǎn lái lián, dāng wèi shí yě.‘To advance will (only be to) encounter (greater) difficulties; he remains stationary, and unites (with the subject of the line above):’ - that is in its proper place and has the solidity (due to it in that position).
九五: 大蹇朋来. Jiǔ wǔ: dà jiǎn péng lái.The fifth ‘nine’, undivided, shows its subject struggling with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming to help him.
象传: 大蹇朋来, 以中节也. Xiàng zhuàn: Dà jiǎn péng lái, yǐ zhōng jié yě.‘He struggles with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming (to help him):’ - he is in the central position, and possesses the requisite virtue.
上六: 往蹇来硕, 吉; 利见大人. Shàng liù: wǎng jiǎn lái shuò, jí; lì jiàn dà ren.The topmost ‘six’, divided, shows its subject going forward, (only to increase) the difficulties, while his remaining stationary will be (productive of) great (merit). There will be good fortune, and it will be advantageous to meet with the great man.
象传: 往蹇来硕, 志在内也. 利见大人, 以从贵也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wǎng jiǎn lái shuò, zhì zài nèi yě. lì jiàn dà ren, yǐ cóng guì yě.‘To advance will (only) increase the difficulties, while his remaining stationary will (be productive of) great (merit):’ - his aim is to assist the (subject of the line) inside of him. ‘It will be advantageous to meet the great man:’ - by his course he follows that noble (lord of the figure).