batch.motif.hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg-l2712-l2852
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg-l2712-l2852
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK IV / DYUTA / BOOK V / PATIVRATA-MAHATMYA; lines 2712-2852
start: '2712'
end: '2852'
translation: Maha-bharata
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Savitri continues following Yama after Satyavan's death, argues the bond
of faithful wife and husband, and receives boons for Satyavan's father and lineage.
Yama finally grants Satyavan's life. Savitri returns to the forest, places Satyavan's
head on her lap, and he revives. The couple discuss his vision of a dark being
with a noose, the dangers of the dark forest, a distant forest-fire, and their
anxious parents before setting out together.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Savitri says she is not faint or weary because she waits upon her husband
and states that a faithful wife follows where her husband leads, whether in death
or life.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Yama praises Savitri's words and wisdom but says the dead do not come to life,
offering her another boon instead.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Savitri asks that her husband's father, who lost his kingdom and lives weakly
in the forest, be restored to wealth and kingdom.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Yama grants wealth and kingdom to Satyavan's father and tells Savitri that
a living mortal may not go with him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Savitri continues following her departed lord after the first boon is granted.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Savitri asks that Satyavan's father's royal line continue through sons of
Satyavan and Savitri.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Yama grants that Satyavan shall live again, become a father, and that their
children shall reign.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: After Yama vanishes, Savitri returns to the forest where Satyavan's lifeless
body lies.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Savitri sits on the grass, places Satyavan's lifeless head on her lap, and
he returns to waking life.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Satyavan says he dreamed or saw a dark person who took his life with a noose.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Savitri says the dark person has come and gone, and urges Satyavan to rise
because night has fallen in the forest.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: Satyavan recalls that he and Savitri came to the forest for fruit and fuel,
that he suffered severe pain while cutting branches, and that he lay down on the
grass.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: Savitri mentions forest sounds, prowlers, a distant forest-fire, and proposes
taking a burning faggot to make a friendly light.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: Satyavan worries that his parents will grieve if he and Savitri spend the
night in the wood and jungle.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:15
text: Savitri reassures Satyavan by invoking her faithful love, offerings to righteous
gods, kindness to others, and adherence to truth.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:16
text: Savitri ties her hair, helps Satyavan rise, and the two walk together through
the pathless jungle in an embrace.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Savitri
description: A noble princess, faithful wife of Satyavan, who follows Yama, petitions
for boons, returns to Satyavan's body, and helps him depart the forest.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Yama / Sable Monarch / Monarch of the dead
description: The death figure addressed by Savitri; he grants boons, says the dead
do not come to life, and finally restores Satyavan's life.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Satyavan
description: Savitri's husband and a young prince, lying lifeless in the forest
and later revived; he recalls pain, darkness, and a dark vision with a noose.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Satyavan's father
description: A monarch who lost his kingdom, lives in the forest, is described as
faint, weak, and formerly sightless, and receives restored realm, wealth, and
sight through Savitri's petitions.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Satyavan's parents
description: The anxious parents whom Satyavan and Savitri fear are waiting and
grieving at their cottage.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: faithful wife
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Savitri explicitly speaks as a wife who follows her husband in death or life
and remains beside him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: role:2
label: petitioner for boons
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Savitri asks Yama for the restoration of her father-in-law's kingdom and
for continuation of the royal line through her sons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:3
label: lord of the dead
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Yama is called the Monarch of the dead, King Yama, and the Sable Monarch;
he has taken Satyavan's life.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: boon giver
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Yama grants wealth, kingdom, lineage, and finally Satyavan's restored life.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: dead and revived husband
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Satyavan lies lifeless in the forest and returns to waking life after Savitri
places his head on her lap.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: reviver through faithful touch
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Savitri places Satyavan's head on her lap, and the passage attributes his
return to waking life to that touch of affection.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: witness of dark death-vision
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Satyavan reports seeing or dreaming of a dark person or vision who took his
life with a noose.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: restored dispossessed monarch
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Satyavan's father had lost his kingdom and is granted restored wealth, kingdom,
sight, and dynastic continuation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: anxious parents
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Satyavan and Savitri speak of the parents waiting, grieving, and fearing
for him if he remains in the forest overnight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: noose that takes life
literal_form: Noose held or used by the dark person in Satyavan's vision to take
forth his life.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: darksome forest
literal_form: Dense, dark forest or pathless jungle where Satyavan's body lies and
through which the couple must travel.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: sym:3
label: fire as night light
literal_form: A distant forest-fire and a proposed burning faggot to make a friendly
light against the night shadows.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:4
label: lap supporting the dead husband
literal_form: Savitri's lap receives Satyavan's lifeless head before he revives.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: embracing return through the jungle
literal_form: Satyavan's arm around Savitri's neck and Savitri's arm around his
waist as they walk through the jungle.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Savitri follows Yama and argues the wife's bond
summary: Savitri states that she is not weary, that a faithful wife follows her
husband in death or life, and that sacred law does not divide loving husband and
faithful wife.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Yama offers boons but excludes revival
summary: Yama praises Savitri's wisdom, says the dead do not come to life, and offers
another boon; Savitri asks for the restoration of Satyavan's father's kingdom,
which Yama grants.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Lineage boon becomes restoration of Satyavan
summary: Savitri continues after Yama and asks that the royal line pass through
sons born to her and Satyavan; Yama grants that Satyavan shall live again and
that their children shall reign.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Return to the lifeless body and revival
summary: Yama vanishes; Savitri returns to the forest, places Satyavan's head on
her lap, and Satyavan awakens as if returned from distant regions.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Satyavan recalls the dark vision
summary: Satyavan asks whether he slept too long, recalls pain while cutting branches,
and describes a dark or dreadful figure who took his life with a noose.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Night dangers and concern for parents
summary: Savitri notes the darkening forest, forest sounds, prowlers, and a distant
fire, while Satyavan insists on returning because his parents will be anxious
and sorrowful.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:7
label: Couple sets out together
summary: After Savitri reassures Satyavan, she helps him rise and the couple walk
together through the pathless jungle in a mutual embrace.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: faithful spouse follows the beloved beyond death
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_marriage
- stolen_beloved
basis: Savitri follows Yama after Satyavan's death and states that a faithful wife
follows her husband whether in death or life.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy references are broad; the passage emphasizes marital fidelity
rather than abduction or formal marriage ritual.
- id: motif:2
label: boons won from the death deity through speech and virtue
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
- wisdom
basis: Yama praises Savitri's wisdom and grants multiple boons in response to her
petitions, culminating in Satyavan's life.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The exchange is verbal and moral rather than material sacrifice or trade.
- id: motif:3
label: return from death of the husband
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
- death_rebirth
- return
basis: Yama grants that Satyavan shall live again; Savitri returns to the lifeless
body, and Satyavan awakens as from distant regions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents revival in poetic translation; it does not describe
a full ritual mechanism beyond the granted boon and Savitri's affectionate touch.
- id: motif:4
label: restoration of lost royal power and dynastic continuity
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Savitri asks that Satyavan's father regain wealth and kingdom and that the
kingdom descend to sons of Satyavan and Savitri; Yama grants these requests.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: Royal restoration is embedded in the Savitri-Satyavan episode, not a stand-alone
enthronement account.
- id: motif:5
label: dangerous night forest passage after revival
taxonomy_refs:
- return
basis: After Satyavan revives, the couple must leave the dark forest amid night,
prowlers, and firelight, moving toward their waiting parents.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a local return-home scene; broader journey symbolism should not
be assumed without additional context.
- id: motif:6
label: death figure with noose
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Satyavan reports a dark person or vision who took forth his life with a noose,
and Savitri identifies the figure as having come and passed away.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not elaborate judgment procedures; the noose is tied
here to taking life, not a full afterlife trial.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 2712-2725
quote_or_summary: Savitri says she is not faint or weary while waiting on her husband
and declares that a faithful wife follows her husband in death or life; she invokes
holy company and eternal law joining husband and wife.
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 2726-2733
quote_or_summary: Yama blesses Savitri's words and wisdom, says the dead do not
come to life, and invites her to ask another boon.
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 2734-2743
quote_or_summary: Savitri petitions for her husband's father, who lost his kingdom
and dwells weakly in the forest; Yama grants wealth and kingdom and tells her
not to continue with him.
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 2744-2760
quote_or_summary: Savitri keeps following; Yama asks her wish; she asks that the
royal line continue through Satyavan's and Savitri's sons; Yama grants that Satyavan
shall live again and their children shall reign.
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 2761-2774
quote_or_summary: Yama vanishes; Savitri returns to the forest where Satyavan lies
lifeless, places his head on her lap, and he revives; Satyavan mentions a sable
person who took his life in a noose.
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 2775-2794
quote_or_summary: Satyavan remembers coming to the forest for fruit and fuel, feeling
severe pain while cutting branches, lying down on the grass, and seeing a dark,
dreadful god or vision.
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 2795-2816
quote_or_summary: Savitri notes the deepening night, anxious parents, forest sounds,
prowlers, a distant forest-fire, and suggests making a light with a burning faggot
or resting by fire if Satyavan is weak.
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 2817-2838
quote_or_summary: Satyavan worries about his parents' grief if they remain in the
jungle overnight; Savitri reassures him by citing her fidelity, offerings to gods,
kindness, and truthfulness.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 2839-2852
quote_or_summary: Savitri ties her hair, helps Satyavan rise, and the two walk through
the pathless jungle with arms interlaced.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif labels use
only available broad taxonomy references and should be reviewed for fit.
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 comparison claims were added because the supplied passage itself does not explicitly compare this episode with other traditions or motif families.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg__l2712-l2852
passage_sha256=e8dc93977096c77e2c40a4e8d58ddacc93be59b0470e884c6c1bab09c807cd46