batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg-l5759-l5862
---
record_id: batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg-l5759-l5862
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
passage_locator:
label: TABLE VII. / THE BODISATS. / TABLE VIII. / THE DISTANT EPOCH.; lines 5759-5862
start: '5759'
end: '5862'
translation: Buddhist birth stories; or, Jataka tales, Volume 1
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: A divine being in the likeness of the royal barber arranges the Bodisat's
turban, producing wondrous folds and splendor. The Bodisat enters the city in
a decorated car, hears that his son has been born and names him as an impediment
or bond. Kisā Gotamī praises those related to him; her song prompts the Bodisat
to reflect on lasting peace through the extinction of lust, hatred, delusion,
and other sins, and he sends her a pearl necklace as a teacher's fee. In the palace
he falls asleep during the entertainers' performance, wakes to see them sleeping
in disordered and repellent states, and becomes disgusted with lusts. He resolves
to accomplish the Great Renunciation, asks Channa to saddle Kanthaka, and the
horse's loud neigh is silenced by the gods.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A being with miraculous angelic power approaches in the likeness of the royal
barber and arranges the Bodisat's turban.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The Bodisat recognizes by touch that the figure is not human but a son of
the gods.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Each wrapping of the turban produces jeweled folds, and the future Buddha's
head is compared to flowers in full bloom.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: The Bodisat ascends a superbly decorated car while musicians perform, Brāhmans
utter words of joy and victory, and others shout praise.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Suddhodana sends joy to his son after hearing that the mother of Rāhula has
given birth to a son.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The future Buddha calls the newborn an impediment and a bond, leading the
king to name the child Rāhula.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Kisā Gotamī sees the Bodisat from a palace roof and sings that his mother,
father, and wife are blessed.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The Bodisat interprets Kisā Gotamī's song as prompting reflection on lasting
happiness and peace.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The Bodisat resolves that very day to break from household cares, renounce
the world, and follow Nirvāna.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: The Bodisat removes a pearl necklace and sends it to Kisā Gotamī as a teacher's
fee; she interprets it as a love gift.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Women in beautiful array dance, sing, and play instruments, but the Bodisat
takes no pleasure and falls asleep.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: When the Bodisat wakes, he sees the entertainers asleep with disordered bodily
signs and stage properties laid aside.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: The Bodisat becomes more disgusted with lusts and perceives the splendid apartment
as like a charnel-house full of corpses.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:14
text: Life in various worlds seems to the Bodisat like staying in a house seized
by devouring flames.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:15
text: The Bodisat calls to Channa and orders him to saddle a horse for the Great
Renunciation.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:16
text: Channa saddles the horse Kanthaka, who understands that his master is about
to carry out the Great Renunciation.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:17
text: Kanthaka neighs mightily, but the gods stop the sound so that no one hears
it.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: the Bodisat / future Buddha / Prince Siddhattha
description: The central figure, adorned in royal splendor, reflecting on peace
and Nirvāna, and resolving to accomplish the Great Renunciation.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: son of the gods in likeness of the royal barber
description: A divine being who uses miraculous power to appear as the royal barber
and arrange the Bodisat's turban.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: royal barber
description: The human barber whose likeness and role are assumed by the divine
being.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Suddhodana the king
description: The king who sends joy to his son and orders that the newborn grandson
be called Rāhula.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Rāhula
description: The newborn son whose name is connected in the passage with impediment
or bond.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: mother of Rāhula
description: The woman reported to have brought forth a son.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Kisā Gotamī
description: A noble virgin who sees the Bodisat from the palace roof, sings a song
of joy, and receives a pearl necklace.
role_refs:
- role:9
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: palace women entertainers
description: Women skilled in dance and song who perform for the Bodisat, then sleep
in disordered states.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Channa
description: The attendant sleeping at the threshold who answers the Bodisat and
saddles Kanthaka.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Kanthaka
description: The mighty steed saddled for the Great Renunciation, who understands
his master's purpose and neighs.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: gods
description: Divine beings who stop Kanthaka's neigh so that no one hears it.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: musicians, Brāhmans, and lower-caste celebrants
description: Groups who perform music, words of victory, and festive praise during
the Bodisat's public display.
role_refs:
- role:15
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
roles:
- id: role:1
label: royal Bodisat
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: He is adorned, praised, and enters the town in a splendid chariot.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: renunciant-to-be
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: He resolves to renounce household cares and later commands Channa to prepare
for the Great Renunciation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:10
- id: role:3
label: seeker of Nirvāna and peace
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: His reflections identify peace with the extinction of lust, hatred, delusion,
and other sins, and he says he will follow Nirvāna.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:4
label: divine helper in disguise
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: He approaches by miraculous power in the likeness of the royal barber and
adorns the Bodisat.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: borrowed human likeness
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The divine being appears in the likeness of the royal barber and takes the
turban material from the barber's hand.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: king and naming authority
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Suddhodana commands that the newborn be called Rāhula after hearing the Bodisat's
saying.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: newborn son as impediment or bond
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The Bodisat describes the child's birth as an impediment and bond, and the
king derives the name Rāhula from that saying.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:8
label: mother of newborn son
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: She is reported to have brought forth a son.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:9
label: joyful observer and singer
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: She sees the Bodisat from the roof and sings a song of joy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: unintended teacher
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The Bodisat treats her song as a lesson and sends her pearls as a teacher's
fee.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:11
label: sensual entertainment transformed into repellent sight
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The performers first dance and sing beautifully, then are seen asleep in
disordered conditions that provoke revulsion.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:12
label: loyal attendant
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Channa answers from the threshold and saddles the horse when ordered.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: role:13
label: renunciation steed
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Kanthaka is selected and saddled for the Great Renunciation and understands
the event.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: role:14
label: divine silencers
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The gods stop Kanthaka's neigh so no one hears it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: role:15
label: public celebrants
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: They provide music, words of joy and victory, and festive cries during the
Bodisat's procession.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: miraculous turban and jeweled diadem
literal_form: turban material arranged around the Bodisat's head, with jeweled folds
arising at each wrapping
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: flower-like head imagery
literal_form: comparisons to Black Priyaŋgu creeper flower, Kutumbaka blossoms,
and a Kuyyaka flower in full bloom
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: decorated car or chariot
literal_form: superbly decorated car in which the Bodisat enters the town
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: name Rāhula as impediment or bond
literal_form: the newborn's name linked to the words impediment and bond
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: pearl necklace as teacher's fee
literal_form: string of pearls worth a hundred thousand sent to Kisā Gotamī
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: extinguished fires of lust, hatred, and delusion
literal_form: fire imagery used for lust, hatred, and delusion going out
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: charnel-house vision of the palace room
literal_form: the splendid apartment seeming like a charnel-house full of loathsome
corpses
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:8
label: devouring flames of worldly life
literal_form: life seeming like staying in a house prey to devouring flames
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:9
label: Kanthaka the horse
literal_form: mighty steed standing under a cloth canopy patterned with jasmine
flowers and saddled for the Great Renunciation
associated_figures:
- fig:9
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:10
label: silenced neigh
literal_form: Kanthaka's mighty neigh stopped by the gods so that no one hears it
associated_figures:
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Divine adornment of the Bodisat
summary: A son of the gods appears as the royal barber, wraps the Bodisat's turban,
and produces miraculous jeweled folds and floral splendor.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Public procession and naming of Rāhula
summary: The adorned Bodisat ascends a decorated car amid public celebration; after
news of his son's birth, he calls the child an impediment and bond, and the king
names him Rāhula.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Kisā Gotamī's song and the Bodisat's reflection
summary: Kisā Gotamī praises those related to the glorious Bodisat; he reflects
on lasting happiness as the extinction of passions and resolves to seek Nirvāna
by renouncing the world.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Palace entertainment becomes a vision of revulsion
summary: Entertainers perform for the Bodisat, but after he sleeps and wakes, their
disordered sleeping bodies provoke disgust with lusts and make the palace seem
like a charnel-house and burning house.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:5
label: Preparation for the Great Renunciation
summary: The Bodisat calls Channa, orders a horse saddled for the Great Renunciation,
and Channa saddles Kanthaka, whose loud neigh is silenced by the gods.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine helper adorns the chosen figure
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A divine being appears in human guise and miraculously arranges the Bodisat's
turban, marking his splendor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents adornment rather than an explicit investiture or
coronation.
- id: motif:2
label: public royal splendor before renunciation
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: The Bodisat is celebrated in splendid public procession shortly before resolving
to leave household life.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The departure itself is only being prepared within this passage, not completed.
- id: motif:3
label: childbirth as bond or impediment to departure
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: The birth of the Bodisat's son is named by him as an impediment and bond,
and this becomes the child's name.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not elaborate on later father-son relations.
- id: motif:4
label: awakening reflection prompted by a song
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Kisā Gotamī's praise prompts the Bodisat to reflect on lasting peace and
the extinction of passions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The singer does not intentionally teach the doctrine in the passage.
- id: motif:5
label: gift as teacher's fee misunderstood as love token
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The Bodisat sends pearls to Kisā Gotamī as a teacher's fee, while she thinks
he has fallen in love with her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The exchange is brief and its later consequences are not included here.
- id: motif:6
label: sensual beauty revealed as decay or corpse-like repulsion
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The entertainers' sleeping bodies transform the Bodisat's perception from
pleasure to disgust, and the splendid room seems like a charnel-house.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: This is framed as perception and simile rather than literal bodily decay.
- id: motif:7
label: worldly life as burning house
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
- wisdom
basis: Life in multiple worlds appears to the Bodisat as residence in a house overcome
by devouring flames.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy lists fire as a symbol, not a motif family; the
image is metaphorical.
- id: motif:8
label: the Great Renunciation prepared by attendant and horse
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: The Bodisat declares his resolve, orders Channa to saddle a horse, and Kanthaka
is readied for the Great Renunciation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: The passage ends before the actual departure from the city.
- id: motif:9
label: divine concealment of departure signs
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: Kanthaka's neigh would reveal the action, but the gods stop the sound so
no one hears it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: Only the sound is concealed in this excerpt; no wider concealment is described.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 5759-5774
quote_or_summary: A divine being comes in the likeness of the royal barber, arranges
the Bodisat's turban, and produces miraculous jeweled folds; the Bodisat recognizes
him as a son of the gods.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 5775-5779
quote_or_summary: The Bodisat, arrayed in splendor, ascends a decorated car while
musicians, Brāhmans, and other celebrants praise him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 5780-5788
quote_or_summary: Suddhodana hears of the birth of a son to the mother of Rāhula;
the future Buddha calls it an impediment and bond, and the king commands that
the child be named Rāhula.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 5789-5798
quote_or_summary: Kisā Gotamī sees the Bodisat's beauty and majesty from a palace
roof and sings that his mother, father, and wife are blessed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 5799-5811
quote_or_summary: The Bodisat reflects that peace is gained when the fires of lust,
hatred, delusion, pride, credulity, and other sins cease; he resolves that day
to break from household cares, renounce the world, and follow Nirvāna.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 5812-5816
quote_or_summary: The Bodisat sends a valuable pearl necklace to Kisā Gotamī as
a teacher's fee, but she thinks it is a love gift; he enters the palace and reclines
on a couch of state.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 5817-5822
quote_or_summary: Beautifully arrayed women skilled in dance and song perform with
instruments, but the Bodisat takes no pleasure and falls asleep.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 5823-5831
quote_or_summary: The women stop performing and sleep; the Bodisat wakes and sees
them with stage properties laid aside, foaming, grinding teeth, yawning, muttering,
gaping, and disordered in dress.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 5832-5842
quote_or_summary: The Bodisat becomes more disgusted with lusts; the splendid apartment
seems like a charnel-house, and life in various worlds seems like staying in a
house taken by devouring flames. He resolves on the Great Renunciation.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 5843-5850
quote_or_summary: The Bodisat rises, calls out, and tells Channa that he is resolved
that day to accomplish the Great Renunciation and wants a horse saddled.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 5851-5859
quote_or_summary: Channa enters the stables and saddles the mighty steed Kanthaka,
who stands under a jasmine-patterned canopy and understands that his master is
about to carry out the Great Renunciation.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: 5860-5862
quote_or_summary: Kanthaka neighs a mighty neigh that would have carried over the
town, but the gods stop the sound and let no one hear it.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif labels are candidate
descriptions grounded in the passage; taxonomy mapping is conservative. No comparison
claims were made because the passage itself does not support comparison beyond
its internal Buddhist narrative context.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Line locators are approximate within the supplied line range because the prompt provides the passage text without per-line numbering.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg__l5759-l5862
passage_sha256=fec6642eeadd1e248bdf8169177de49928357776633252c21607d275ef2340dd