Hexagram 42 of 64 · King Wen order
益Increase
Yì · ䷩ · above: Wind ☴ 巽 Xùn · below: Thunder ☳ 震 Zhèn
Expansion and benefit; a time when energy is high and creative action is supported by the universe.A one-line gloss written for this site (AI-assisted). Everything below it is the classical text.
The Judgment 卦辭
利有攸往，利涉大川。
Yî indicates that (in the state which it denotes) there will be advantage in every movement which shall be undertaken, that it will be advantageous (even) to cross the great stream.
James Legge, The Yî King (1882), the Text. Words in (parentheses) are Legge's own additions.
Commentary on the Judgment 彖傳 (Tuan, the first Wing)
1. In Yi we see the upper (trigram) diminished, and the lower added to. The satisfaction of the people (in consequence of this) is without limit. What descends from above reaches to all below, so great and brilliant is the course (of its operation).
2. That 'there will be advantage in every movement which shall be undertaken' appears from the central and correct (positions of the second and fifth lines), and the (general) blessing (the dispensing of which they imply). That 'it will be advantageous (even) to cross the great stream' appears from the action of wood (shown in the figure).
3. Yi is made up of (the trigrams expressive of) movement and docility, (through which) there is daily advancement to an unlimited extent. We have (also) in it heaven dispensing and earth producing, leading to an increase without restriction of place. Everything in the method of this increase proceeds according to the requirements of the time.
The Image 象
風雷，益；君子以見善則遷，有過則改。
(The trigram representing) wind and that for thunder form Yî. The superior man, in accordance with this, when he sees what is good, moves towards it; and when he sees his errors, he turns from them.
Legge's Great Image (Appendix II). The Chinese above also carries the Small Images of the six lines.
The six lines 爻辭
Read from the bottom (line 1) to the top (line 6). Each line: the Chinese, Legge's translation, and the Small Image commentary on it.
Line 1 初九
The first line from the bottom, yang (solid, nine)
利用為大作，元吉，無咎。
The first NINE, undivided, shows that it will be advantageous for its subject in his position to make a great movement. If it be greatly fortunate, no blame will be imputed to him.
Small Image: 'If the movement be greatly fortunate, no blame will be imputed to him:'—though it is not for one in so low a position to have to do with great affairs.
If this line changes, it becomes Hexagram 20, Contemplation.
Line 2 六二
The second line from the bottom, yin (broken, six)
或益之，十朋之龜弗克違，永貞吉。王用享于帝，吉。
The second SIX, divided, shows parties adding to the stores of its subject ten pairs of tortoise shells whose oracles cannot be opposed. Let him persevere in being firm and correct, and there will be good fortune. Let the king, (having the virtues thus distinguished), employ them in presenting his offerings to God, and there will be good fortune.
Small Image: 'Parties add to his stores:'—they come from beyond (his immediate circle) to do so.
If this line changes, it becomes Hexagram 61, Inner Truth.
Line 3 六三
The third line from the bottom, yin (broken, six)
益之用凶事，無咎。有孚中行，告公用圭。
The third SIX, divided, shows increase given to its subject by means of what is evil, so that he shall (be led to good), and be without blame. Let him be sincere and pursue the path of the Mean, (so shall he secure the recognition of the ruler, like) an officer who announces himself to his prince by the symbol of his rank.
Small Image: 'Increase is given by means of what is evil and difficult:'—as he has in himself (the qualities called forth).
If this line changes, it becomes Hexagram 37, The Family.
Line 4 六四
The fourth line from the bottom, yin (broken, six)
中行，告公從。利用為依遷國。
The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject pursuing the due course. His advice to his prince is followed. He can with advantage be relied on in such a movement as that of removing the capital.
Small Image: 'His advice to his prince is followed:'—his (only) object in it being the increase (of the general good).
If this line changes, it becomes Hexagram 25, Innocence.
Line 5 九五
The fifth line from the bottom, yang (solid, nine)
有孚惠心，勿問元吉。有孚惠我德。
The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject with sincere heart seeking to benefit (all below). There need be no question about it; the result will be great good fortune. (All below) will with sincere heart acknowledge his goodness.
Small Image: '(The ruler) with sincere heart seeks to benefit (all below):'—there need be no question (about the result). '(All below) with sincere heart acknowledge (his goodness):'—he gets what he desires on a great scale.
If this line changes, it becomes Hexagram 27, The Corners of the Mouth.
Line 6 上九
The sixth line from the bottom, yang (solid, nine)
莫益之，或擊之，立心勿恆，凶。
In the sixth NINE, undivided, we see one to whose increase none will contribute, while many will seek to assail him. He observes no regular rule in the ordering of his heart. There will be evil.
Small Image: 'To his increase none will contribute:'—this expresses but half the result. 'Many will seek to assail him:'—they will come from beyond (his immediate circle) to do so.
If this line changes, it becomes Hexagram 3, Difficulty at the Beginning.
Related hexagrams
lines 2-4 below, 3-5 aboveOpposite 錯卦32. Duration 恆
every line changedInverse 綜卦41. Decrease 損
turned upside down
A hexagram is a mirror, not a command: read it to reflect, never to obey. Sources: James Legge (tr.), The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East vol. XVI (Oxford, 1882; 2nd ed. 1899), public domain; the Chinese text from Project Gutenberg ebook #25501 (易經), public domain. The trigram facts and the related hexagrams are computed from the line pattern. The gloss, selection and arrangement are CC-BY-SA-4.0 (PlayfulProcess). Data: github.com/PlayfulProcess/recursive-iching.