《Caigentan (菜根譚) - Former Collection #38》 [038] 降魔者,先降自心,心伏,則群邪退聽; 馭橫者,先馭此氣,氣平,則外橫不侵。
📜 Original Text
降魔者,先降自心,心伏,則群邪退聽; 馭橫者,先馭此氣,氣平,則外橫不侵。
📚 Translation
To truly conquer external evils, one must first master their own mind; when the mind is subdued, all malevolent influences naturally retreat.
To truly control unruly forces, one must first regulate their own spirit; when one's spirit is calm, external tyranny cannot intrude.
✍️ Hanja Breakdown
- 降 (jiàng/xiáng): to surrender, to subdue, to conquer, to control. (Here, 'xiáng' means to subdue or conquer)
- 魔 (mó): demon, devil, affliction, evil spirit, wicked being.
- 降魔者 (xiángmózhě): One who seeks to subdue demons or control evil/afflictions.
- 先 (xiān): first, beforehand.
- 自 (zì): self, oneself.
- 心 (xīn): mind, heart.
- 自心 (zìxīn): one's own mind.
- 先降自心 (xiān xiáng zìxīn): First subdue one's own mind.
- 伏 (fú): to prostrate, to submit, to yield, to subdue, to suppress, to make submit.
- 心伏 (xīnfú): The mind submits; the mind is subdued.
- 則 (zé): then, in that case, if.
- 群 (qún): group, multitude, all, many.
- 邪 (xié): evil, wicked, perverse; evil things, evil influences.
- 群邪 (qúnxié): All evil things, wicked multitude, harmful influences.
- 退 (tuì): to retreat, to withdraw.
- 聽 (tīng): to listen, to obey, to comply.
- 退聽 (tuìtīng): To withdraw and obey, to retreat and become quiet. (Here, meaning 'to recede and become still')
- 群邪退聽 (qúnxié tuìtīng): All evil things recede and submit.
- 馭 (yù): To drive (a horse), to control, to manage, to tame, to restrain.
- 橫 (héng/hèng): Tyrannical, arbitrary, perverse; tyranny, arbitrariness, violence. (Here, 'hèng' refers to tyranny or unreasonable acts)
- 馭橫 (yùhèng): To control tyranny.
- 馭橫者 (yùhèngzhě): One who seeks to control the unruly or restrain unreasonable acts.
- 此 (cǐ): This, oneself.
- 氣 (qì): Spirit, energy, disposition, attitude, mental state.
- 此氣 (cǐqì): One's own spirit, one's own disposition.
- 先馭此氣 (xiān yù cǐqì): First control one's own spirit.
- 平 (píng): Flat, calm, peaceful.
- 氣平 (qìpíng): The spirit is calm; the mind is at peace.
- 外 (wài): Outside, external.
- 外橫 (wàihèng): External tyranny, unreasonable external pressure or interference.
- 不 (bù): Not, no.
- 侵 (qīn): To invade, to infringe, to encroach, to intrude.
- 不侵 (bùqīn): Cannot intrude.
- 外橫不侵 (wàihèng bùqīn): External tyranny cannot intrude.
🔍 Commentary
This profound passage from Caigentan offers a timeless insight: to effectively manage hostile or chaotic forces in the external world, one must first achieve mastery over their own mind and spirit. True power doesn't stem from exerting outward control, but from deep self-regulation and inner peace.
1. Inner Calm Subdues External Evil
The first sentence states: "One who seeks to subdue demons must first subdue their own mind; when the mind is subdued, all evil influences will naturally recede."
Here, "demons" (魔) aren't merely external malevolent entities.
Instead, they symbolize the turbulent and negative energies that constantly arise within us, such as greed, anger, jealousy, anxiety, and arrogance. Even if we try to combat external evils, if our minds are ensnared by these internal "demons," that battle can never truly be won.
When the mind is subdued and inner peace is restored, external chaos naturally dissipates and retreats. If the anxieties and desires within our minds vanish, external temptations and provocations can no longer sway us. It's akin to a clear mirror flawlessly reflecting the world; once the mind becomes clear, external shadows also disappear.
Inner peace thus becomes the most potent shield, protecting us from external lures and disturbances.
2. A Calm Spirit Wards Off External Tyranny
The second sentence adds: "One who seeks to control the unruly must first control their own spirit; when the spirit is calm, external tyranny will not dare to intrude."
Here, "unruly" (橫) refers to the impoliteness of others or the unreasonable aggression encountered in the world.
People often attempt to suppress external tyranny with even greater force and anger, but this passage suggests the opposite. If one's own spirit becomes agitated, it may inadvertently provoke external aggression.
However, if one calmly controls their inner disposition, external tyranny will find no foothold. This wisdom beautifully illustrates the balance between strength and gentleness, and the resilience found in adaptability.
Conclusion: Inner Mastery is the Beginning of Peace
We often find ourselves blaming external chaos and evil, but often, it is our own internal anxieties, greed, and anger that inadvertently invite them.
Therefore, mastering one's own mind and spirit first is the most powerful defense. Through this inner command, the world's chaos naturally subsides, and external tyranny is compelled to retreat.
True victory isn't about triumphing over external foes, but about conquering oneself internally. The profound wisdom conveyed in this passage remains profoundly relevant even today.