Go to Introduction, Contents, Next Tale

Content created: 2009-04-26
File last modified:

The 24 Filial Exemplars (1)

Emperor Shùn 舜帝

1. THE FEELING OF FILIAL PIETY MOVED HEAVEN
Emperor Shùn of the Yú dynasty was the son of Gǔsǒu (=Blind Old-Man). His nature was most filial. But his father was obstinate and his mother was boorish. His younger brother Xiàng was proud and overbearing. Shùn ploughed on Mount Lì [in Shāndōng province], where the elephants ploughed for him and the birds weeded for him, for his feelings of filial piety were so great [that even the beasts were moved]. Emperor Yáo [of Táng] heard of this; he sent nine of his sons to wait on him and two of his daughters to be his wives and later abdicated the throne in his favor. Verses praise him saying:
Herds of elephants plough in the spring;

Flocks of birds pull the weeds;

He is the heir of Yáo and mounts his throne;

The spirit of filial piety moves the heart of Heaven.
一、孝感动天
虞舜。瞽搜之子。性至孝。父顽母嚣。弟象傲。舜耕于历山。有象为之耕。有鸟为之耘。其孝感如此。帝尧闻之。事以九男。妻以二女。遂以天下让焉。系诗颂之。 诗曰
对对耕春象。纷纷耘草禽。嗣尧登帝位。孝感动天下。


1. Xiào Gǎn Dòng Tiān
Yú Shùn. Gǔsǒu zhi zǐ. Xìng zhì xiào. Fù wén mǔ yín. Dì Xiàng ào. Shùn gēng yú Lì Shān. Yǒu xiàng wèi zhī gēng. Yǒu niǎo wèi zhī yún. Qí xiào gǎn rú cǐ. Dì Yáo wén zhī. Shì yǐ jiǔ nán. Qì yǐ èr nǚ. Suì yǐ tiānxià ràng yān. Xì shī sòng zhī.
Shī yuē:
Duìduì gēng chūn xiàng. Fēnfēn yún cǎo qín. Sì Yáo dēng dì wèi. Xiào gǎn dòng tiānxià.


一、孝感動天
虞舜。瞽搜之子。性至孝。父頑母囂。弟象傲。舜耕於歷山。有象為之耕。有鳥為之耘。其孝感如此。帝堯聞之。事以九男。妻以二女。遂以天下讓焉。系詩頌之。 詩曰
對對耕春象。紛紛耘草禽。嗣堯登帝位。孝感動天下。
picture


Go to Introduction, Next Tale

Return to top.