batch.motif.hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg-l1115-l1247
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg-l1115-l1247
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK II / SWAYAMVARA / BOOK III / RAJASUYA; lines 1115-1247
start: '1115'
end: '1247'
translation: Maha-bharata
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: After Draupadi's bridal, the five sons of Pandu return with her and, following
their mother's unwitting command, Draupadi becomes wife to all five brothers.
The passage comments on the unusual nature of this tradition, then narrates the
partition of the Kuru realm, the founding of Indra-prastha, Yudhishthir's decision
to perform the Rajasuya imperial sacrifice, and the gathering of kings, elders,
priests, warriors, and tribute-bearers at the rite.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The five sons of Pandu return with Draupadi to the potter's house where they
had been living on alms according to Brahman custom.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The brothers tell their mother that they have received a great gift, and she
replies that they should enjoy the gift in common without knowing what the gift
is.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Because the mother's mandate cannot be disregarded, Draupadi becomes the common
wife of the five brothers.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: The passage states that the significance of the legend is unknown and that
the custom of brothers sharing a wife is said to occur in Tibet and among Himalayan
hill-tribes.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: The passage states that such a custom is prohibited in Aryan Hindu laws and
has no parallel in Hindu traditions and literature.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: The passage presents an alternative view in which Draupadi may be regarded
as wife of Yudhishthir, though won by Arjun's skill.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Duryodhan learns that his attempt to kill his cousins at Varanavata has failed
and that they have gained Drupad as an ally.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: 'The Kuru kingdom is divided: Duryodhan keeps the eastern portion with Hastina-pura,
while the sons of Pandu receive the western forest region on the Jumna.'
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: The sons of Pandu clear the forest and build the new capital Indra-prastha.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: Yudhishthir resolves to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice as a formal assumption
of imperial title over the kings of ancient India.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Yudhishthir's brothers go out with troops to proclaim his supremacy, and other
monarchs come to the sacrifice with tribute after Jarasandha is killed.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: Dhrita-rashtra, Kuru elders, priests, chiefs, Brahmans, and kings from multiple
regions come to Indra-prastha for the sacrifice.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: Yudhishthir assigns palaces to the honored kings and chieftains during the
feast and sacrifice.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:14
text: The palace setting is described with the Jumna's waters, white mansions, gold
nets, gems, fragrant garlands, and turrets compared to Kailasa and the Himalaya.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Draupadi
description: Bride brought by the sons of Pandu to the potter's house; becomes the
common wife of the five brothers in the narrated legend.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Five sons of Pandu
description: Five brothers who return with Draupadi, follow their mother's command,
receive the western portion of the kingdom, build Indra-prastha, and participate
in Yudhishthir's imperial project.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Mother of the sons of Pandu
description: Mother whose unwitting instruction causes Draupadi to be shared by
the brothers.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Yudhishthir
description: Eldest son of Pandu, king of Indra-prastha, performer of the Rajasuya
sacrifice, and possible primary husband of Draupadi in the passage's interpretive
note.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Arjun
description: Brother who wins Draupadi by skill and is also said to marry Krishna's
sister later.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Bhima
description: Brother who had already mated with a female in a forest and had a son,
Ghatotkacha.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Duryodhan
description: Jealous rival who learns his attempt to kill his cousins failed and
who retains the eastern portion of the Kuru kingdom.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Dhrita-rashtra
description: Kuru monarch of Hastina-pura invited to participate in Yudhishthir's
sacrifice; comes to Indra-prastha.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Nakula
description: Son of Pandu who comes to ask Hastina's monarch to attend Yudhishthir's
banquet and sacrifice.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Assembled monarchs and chiefs
description: Kings, Kshatras, chiefs, Brahmans, and regional rulers who come with
tribute to attend the Rajasuya sacrifice.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Jarasandha
description: Powerful king of Magadha who opposes Yudhishthir's supremacy and is
killed before the sacrifice.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Drupad
description: Powerful ally of the sons of Pandu and one of the rulers who comes
from Panchala to the gathering.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: common wife
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Draupadi is said to become the common wife of the five brothers after their
mother's mandate.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: Pandu brother
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
basis: The passage identifies the five sons of Pandu as brothers and names Bhima
and Arjun in relation to Draupadi and other marriages.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: binding maternal speaker
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Her command to enjoy the gift in common is treated as a mandate that cannot
be disregarded.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: king of Indra-prastha
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Yudhishthir is called the eldest son of Pandu and now king of Indra-prastha.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:5
label: imperial sacrificer
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Yudhishthir resolves to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice as a formal assumption
of imperial title.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: rival claimant and hostile kinsman
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Duryodhan is described as jealous, connected to a failed contrivance to kill
his cousins, and holder of the eastern Kuru kingdom.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: forest-clearers and city-founders
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The sons of Pandu clear the forest and build Indra-prastha.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: invited Kuru elder monarch
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Dhrita-rashtra is invited to take part in the sacrifice and comes to Indra-prastha.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: envoy to Hastina
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Nakula comes to ask Hastina's monarch to partake of Yudhishthir's banquet
and grace the sacrifice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: tribute-bearing royal guests
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Monarchs and Kshatras come from distant regions with tribute for the holy
sacrifice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:11
label: opposing king killed before recognition of supremacy
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Jarasandha opposes Yudhishthir's supremacy and is killed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:12
label: ally and attending ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: The sons of Pandu form an alliance with Drupad, and Drupad later comes from
Panchala to the gathering.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: river waters
literal_form: Ganga, Jumna, and Brahma-putra waters associated with royal cities
and regions.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:8
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: sym:2
label: mountain peaks
literal_form: Kailasa and Himalaya used as similes for white mansions and shining
turrets.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:3
label: tribute gifts
literal_form: Precious gems, costly jewels, gold, and gifts brought for the sacrifice.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: five brothers
literal_form: The five sons of Pandu as a fraternal group sharing the marriage relation
to Draupadi in the legend.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:5
label: new capital in cleared forest
literal_form: Indra-prastha built by the sons of Pandu after clearing the wilderness
on the Jumna.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Draupadi and the mother's command
summary: The five sons of Pandu return to the potter's house with Draupadi, report
a great gift to their mother, and act on her command to enjoy the gift in common,
making Draupadi wife to all five.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Comment on the unusual marriage legend
summary: The passage comments that the meaning of the common-wife legend is unknown,
compares it with customs in Tibet and among Himalayan hill-tribes, and says it
is prohibited and without parallel in Hindu tradition.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Partition and founding of Indra-prastha
summary: After Duryodhan learns his scheme has failed and that the Pandavas have
an ally in Drupad, the Kuru kingdom is divided; the sons of Pandu receive a forested
western region, clear it, and build Indra-prastha.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:7
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Preparation for imperial sacrifice
summary: Yudhishthir resolves to perform the Rajasuya, sends his brothers to proclaim
his supremacy, overcomes Jarasandha, and receives recognition and tribute from
other monarchs.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Assemblage of kings at Indra-prastha
summary: Nakula invites the Kuru monarch, Dhrita-rashtra arrives with elders and
chiefs, and rulers from many regions gather with tribute for the rite.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:6
label: Feast and palace setting
summary: Yudhishthir hosts the assembled kings, assigns them palaces, and the city
is described with river waters, white mansions, gold, gems, garlands, and mountain-like
turrets.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Binding parental word causes shared marriage
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The mother's unwitting command to share the 'gift' is treated as binding,
resulting in Draupadi becoming the common wife of five brothers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage itself states that the real significance of this legend is
unknown; no taxonomy reference is assigned.
- id: motif:2
label: Royal legitimacy through imperial sacrifice
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
- sacrifice
basis: Yudhishthir performs the Rajasuya sacrifice as a formal assumption of imperial
title, with kings recognizing his supremacy and attending with tribute.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The extraction is limited to this passage's description of Rajasuya and
does not add ritual details from outside the passage.
- id: motif:3
label: Tribute-bearing assembly of subordinate kings
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
- sacred_exchange
basis: Monarchs and Kshatras come from distant regions bringing gems, jewels, gold,
and other gifts for the holy sacrifice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents tribute in a royal-sacrificial context, but does
not elaborate a reciprocal exchange mechanism.
- id: motif:4
label: Clearing wilderness to found a royal capital
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: The sons of Pandu receive a western forest wilderness, clear it, and build
the new capital Indra-prastha, which becomes the setting for Yudhishthir's royal
sacrifice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: Royal-legitimacy relevance is inferred from sequence and setting within
the passage; the founding act is not explicitly called a ritual act.
- id: motif:5
label: Failed kin-slaying plot before restoration of inheritance
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Duryodhan hears that his contrivance to kill his cousins at Varanavata has
failed, after which it becomes impossible to keep them from their inheritance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage only briefly recalls the earlier failed plot and does not
narrate the episode itself.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage itself compares the legend of brothers sharing a common wife
with customs said to prevail in Tibet and among Himalayan hill-tribes, while emphasizing
that it has no parallel in Hindu traditions and literature.
claim_level: same_function
target: Fraternal common-wife marriage pattern in Tibet and Himalayan hill-tribes
as described by the passage
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
counter_evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
limitations: This is an internal comparison made by the passage's translator or
narrator; it should not be treated as independent ethnographic verification or
as evidence of historical contact.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 1119-1128; introductory prose after Draupadi's bridal
quote_or_summary: The five sons of Pandu bring Draupadi to the potter's house; their
mother tells them to enjoy the gift in common, and Draupadi becomes wife to all
five because the maternal mandate cannot be disregarded.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 1130-1139; commentary on the legend
quote_or_summary: The passage says the legend's significance is unknown, compares
the custom with Tibet and Himalayan hill-tribes, and states that such brotherly
common marriage is prohibited and without parallel in Hindu tradition and literature.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 1140-1152; interpretive note on Draupadi and Yudhishthir
quote_or_summary: The passage suggests Draupadi may be regarded as Yudhishthir's
wife though won by Arjun; it also mentions Bhima's forest mate and son Ghatotkacha,
Arjun's later marriage to Krishna's sister and son Abhimanyu, and Draupadi's crowning
with Yudhishthir in the Rajasuya.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 1153-1162; partition of the Kuru kingdom
quote_or_summary: Duryodhan hears his plot at Varanavata failed and that the Pandavas
allied with Drupad; the kingdom is divided, Duryodhan keeps Hastina-pura, and
the sons of Pandu receive the western forest region, clear it, and build Indra-prastha.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 1163-1171; Rajasuya preparation
quote_or_summary: Yudhishthir resolves to perform the Rajasuya as a formal assumption
of imperial title; his brothers proclaim his supremacy, Jarasandha is killed,
other monarchs recognize Yudhishthir and bring tribute, and Dhrita-rashtra and
his sons are invited.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 1177-1195; The Assemblage of Kings
quote_or_summary: Nakula asks Hastina's monarch to attend the banquet and sacrifice;
Dhrita-rashtra, Kripa, Bhishma, Kuru elders, chiefs, Brahmans, monarchs, and Kshatras
come, some bearing gems, jewels, gold, and gifts.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 1196-1217; regional rulers at the gathering
quote_or_summary: The passage lists rulers and peoples from Gandhara, Sindhu, Panchala,
Prag-jyotisha, Matsya, Chedi, the western sea, Madhya-desa, and other regions
attending the gathering.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 1220-1247; Feast and Sacrifice
quote_or_summary: Jumna's waters wash Yudhishthir's palace walls; monarchs hail
him Dharma-raja, are assigned palaces, and the city is described with white mansions,
sparkling waters, trees, gold nets, gems, garlands, and turrets compared to Kailasa
and the Himalaya.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Extraction is based solely on the supplied passage. Line locators are approximate
within the supplied stable range. Motif assignments are conservative and require
human review, especially where the passage contains translator commentary rather
than narrative action.
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: |-
No external Mahabharata details or names beyond the provided passage have been added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg__l1115-l1247
passage_sha256=895a64bd15bde059b19b272c2c75c256dfee2c7844f655f2f0fb2851b16e46d6