Ta Ch'u / The Taming Power of the Great
above:K^ en Keeping Still, Mountain
below:Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven
The Creative is tamed by Kên, Keeping Still. This produces great
power, a situation in contrast to that of the ninth hexagram, Hsiao
Ch'u, THE TAMING POWER OF THE SMALL, in which the Creative is tamed by
the Gentle alone. There one weak line must tame five strong lines, but
here four strong lines are restrained by two weak lines; in addition to
a minister, there is a prince, and the restraining power therefore is
far stronger.
The hexagram has a threefold meaning, expressing different aspects of
the concept "holding firm." Heaven within the mountain gives the idea
of holding firm in the sense of holding together; the trigram Kên
which holds the trigram Ch'ien still, gives the idea of holding firm in
the sense of holding back; the third idea is that of holding firm in
the sense of caring for and nourishing. This last is suggested by the
fact that a strong line at the top, which is the ruler of the hexagram,
is honored and tended as a sage. The third of these meanings also
attaches specifically to this strong line at the top, which represents
the sage.
The Judgement
THE TAMING POWER OF THE GREAT.
Perseverance furthers.
Not eating at home brings good fortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
To hold firmly to great creative powers and store them up, as set forth in this hexagram, there is need of a strong, clear-headed man who is honored by the ruler. The trigram Ch'ein points to strong creative power; Kên indicates firmness and truth. Both point to light and clarity and to the daily renewal of character. Only through such daily self-renewal can a man continue at the height of his powers. Force of habit helps to keep order in quiet times; but in periods when there is a great storing up of energy, everything depends on the power of the personality. However, since the worthy are honored, as in the case of the strong personality entrusted with leadership by the ruler, it is an advantage not to eat at home but rather to earn one's bread by entering upon public office. Such a man is in harmony with heaven; therefore even great and difficult undertakings, such as crossing the great water, succeed.
The Image
Heaven within the mountain:
The image of THE TAMING POWER OF THE GREAT.
Thus the superior man acquaints himself with many sayings of antiquity
And many deeds of the past,
In order to strengthen his character thereby.
Heaven within the mountain points to hidden treasures. In the words and deeds of the past there lies hidden a treasure that men may use to strengthen and elevate their own characters. The way to study the past is not to confine oneself to mere knowledge of history but, through application of this knowledge, to give actuality to the past.