Hexagram Statement
卦辭
西南，眾也。解難濟險，利施於眾也。亦不困于東北，故不言不利東北也。 未有善於解難而迷於處安也。解之為義，解難而濟厄者也。无難可往以解，來復則不失中。有難而往，則以速為吉者。无難則能復其中，有難則能濟其厄也。
The southwest represents the multitude. Releasing difficulty and crossing through danger benefits being extended to the multitude. It also does not bring hardship in the northeast, which is why it does not say 'no benefit in the northeast.'
There has never been one skilled at releasing difficulty who was confused about dwelling in peace. The meaning of Release is releasing difficulty and relieving distress. If there is no difficulty requiring one to go and resolve it, then returning preserves the center.
If there is difficulty requiring one to go, then swiftness brings good fortune. Without difficulty, one can restore one's center; with difficulty, one can relieve the distress.
正義曰：解者，卦名也。然解有兩音，一音古買反，一音胡賣反。解謂解難之初，解謂既解之後。《彖》稱「動而免乎險」，明非救難之時，故先儒皆讀為解。《序卦》云：「物不可以終難，故受之以解。解者，緩也。」然則解者，險難解，釋物情舒緩，故為解也。「解利西南」者，西南坤位，坤是眾也。施解於眾，則所濟者弘，故曰「解利西南」也。
The Correct Meaning states: Xie (Release) is the hexagram name. The character xie has two pronunciations: one reads as gu-mai-fan, and the other as hu-mai-fan. The first xie refers to the initial moment of releasing difficulty; the second xie refers to the state after the release is complete.
The Tuan says 'moving and thereby escaping danger,' making clear this is not the time of rescuing from difficulty, which is why earlier scholars all read it as xie (release). The Xugua (Sequence of Hexagrams) says: 'Things cannot remain in difficulty forever; therefore Release follows.
' Thus Release means that danger and difficulty are dissolved, the conditions of things become relaxed, and therefore it is called Release. As for 'Release benefits in the southwest': the southwest is the position of Kun, and Kun represents the multitude. '
「无所往」者，上言「解難濟險，利施於眾」。此下明救難之時，誡其可否。若无難可往，則以來復為吉。若有難可往，則以速赴為善，故云「无所往，其來復吉，有攸往夙吉」。設此誡者，褚氏云：「世有无事求功，故誡以无難宜靜，亦有待敗乃救，故誡以有難須速也。」
' What follows below clarifies the time of rescuing from difficulty, admonishing about what is permissible and what is not. If there is no difficulty requiring one to go, then returning brings good fortune. If there is difficulty requiring one to go, then rushing swiftly is good.
' The purpose of this admonition is as Master Chu explained: 'In the world there are those who seek merit when nothing is amiss, hence the warning that when there is no difficulty one should remain still. '
Unlock Full Scholarly Text
Verify your email to access the complete bilingual translation. We'll send you a one-click verification link.
Free access. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Source: eee-learning.com (易學網) · Edition: 武英殿十三經注疏