batch.motif.hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg-l602-l743
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg-l602-l743
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK I / ASTRA DARSANA / BOOK II / SWAYAMVARA; lines 602-743
start: '602'
end: '743'
translation: Maha-bharata
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: After Yudhishthir is recognized as heir-apparent, Duryodhan and his brothers
scheme against the sons of Pandu. The Pandavas and their mother escape a burning
inflammable house through an underground passage and live disguised as Brahmans.
They travel toward Panchala for the swayamvara of Drupad's daughter, who is described
as born from the altar, with her brother born from sacrificial fire. In Panchala,
Drupad prepares a bow, whirling discus, and target as the contest by which the
bride will be won.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Duryodhan and his brothers formed a scheme to kill the sons of Pandu after
Yudhishthir was recognized as heir-apparent.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The sons of Pandu and their mother were sent to Varanavata, where a residence
of inflammable materials had been built for them.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Fire was set to the house, and the five brothers and their mother escaped
through a subterranean passage.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: After escaping, the five brothers retired into forests and lived disguised
as Brahmans.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:5
text: Brahmans traveling to South Panchala told the Pandavas about Drupad's feast
and the swayamvara of the Panchala princess.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: The Brahmans said the princess was not born from a human mother but sprang
from the altar.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: The Brahmans said the princess's brother sprang from sacrificial fire, armed
with bow and arrows.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: Yudhishthir agreed that the Pandavas would go to Panchala to see the wedding
and share the royal bounty.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Vyasa appeared before the princes, received their bows, blessed them, and
by his mandate they went to Panchala.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: In Panchala, the sons of Pandu stayed in a potter's distant cottage and begged
food while disguised as Brahmans.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Drupad wished to give his daughter to Arjun and made a strong bow that he
expected only Arjun could bend.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Drupad set a whirling discus beneath the open sky and placed a target beyond
it; the one who strung the bow and hit the target through the discus would win
the bride.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: Princes, chiefs of war, rishis, Kurus with Karna, and Brahmans gathered for
the wedding assembly.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: sons of Pandu
description: The five brothers, including Yudhishthir and Arjun, who escape the
burning house, travel disguised as Brahmans, and go to Panchala.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: mother of the sons of Pandu
description: The mother who travels with the five brothers and escapes the conflagration
with them.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Yudhishthir
description: Eldest son of Pandu, recognized as heir-apparent, who answers the Brahmans
and agrees to go to Panchala.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Duryodhan and his brothers
description: Princes whose anger grows after Yudhishthir is recognized and who form
a scheme to kill the sons of Pandu.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: pious Brahmans bound for South Panchala
description: Traveling Brahmans who meet the Pandavas, describe Drupad's feast and
the princess's swayamvara, and invite them to come.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: princess of Panchala
description: Drupad's daughter, described as altar-born and as the bride who will
choose among assembled suitors.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: brother of the Panchala princess
description: Brother of the princess, described as springing from sacrificial fire,
mailed and armed with bow and arrows.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Drupad
description: King of Panchala who holds the feast and wedding assembly and sets
the bow, discus, and target contest.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Vyasa
description: A sinless saintly rishi and bard who appears before the princes and
blesses them.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Arjun
description: Helmed son of Pandu and pride of Kuru's race, whom Drupad desires as
husband for his daughter.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Karna
description: A brave figure who comes with the Kurus to the wedding assembly.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: assembled princes and chiefs
description: Kings, princes, and chiefs of war from many regions who gather for
the bride's choice and contest.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: escaped victims of a killing plot
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:2
basis: They are placed in an inflammable house that is set on fire and escape through
a subterranean passage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: disguised wanderers
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: After escaping, the sons of Pandu live and travel disguised as Brahmans.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: recognized heir-apparent
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Yudhishthir is identified as the eldest son of Pandu and recognized as heir-apparent.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: plotters against the sons of Pandu
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Duryodhan and his brothers form a dark scheme to kill the sons of Pandu.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: informants and inviters
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The Brahmans tell the Pandavas of the feast, the swayamvara, and the altar-born
princess, and urge them to come.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: miraculously fire-associated siblings
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:7
basis: The princess is said to have sprung from the altar, and her brother from
sacrificial fire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: bride in a bride-choice ceremony
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The princess will choose her husband from assembled kings according to the
swayamvara custom.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:8
label: armed fire-born brother
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: He is described as mailed and armed with bow and arrows after springing from
sacrificial fire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:9
label: royal host and contest setter
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Drupad holds the feast, welcomes guests, and establishes the bow, discus,
and target condition for winning the bride.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:10
label: blessing rishi
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Vyasa stands before the princes, receives their homage, and blesses them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:11
label: desired winner of the contest
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Drupad longs to give his daughter to Arjun and makes a bow that only Arjun
is expected to bend.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:12
label: wedding assembly participants
assigned_to:
- fig:11
- fig:12
basis: Karna, the Kurus, princes, chiefs, rishis, and Brahmans gather at the wedding
assembly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: fire
literal_form: Fire set to the inflammable house; sacrificial fire from which the
princess's brother springs.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: altar
literal_form: The altar from which the Panchala princess is said to spring.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: subterranean passage
literal_form: Underground passage through which the five brothers and their mother
escape the burning house.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:4
label: bow
literal_form: A massive, stubborn bow made by Drupad for the bride-winning contest.
associated_figures:
- fig:8
- fig:10
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: whirling discus and target
literal_form: A circling discus placed before a high target as part of the contest
for the bride.
associated_figures:
- fig:8
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: water
literal_form: Silver waters along the sylvan pathway to Panchala.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: plot and escape from the burning house
summary: After Yudhishthir is recognized as heir-apparent, Duryodhan and his brothers
arrange for the Pandavas and their mother to stay in an inflammable house; when
fire is set to it, they escape by a subterranean passage and go into disguise.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: meeting the Brahmans on the road to Panchala
summary: Traveling Brahmans meet the Pandavas and describe Drupad's feast, the swayamvara,
the altar-born princess, and her fire-born brother.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: blessed journey and hidden residence in Panchala
summary: Vyasa blesses the princes; they travel through woods and waters to Panchala
and stay unrecognized in a potter's cottage while begging as Brahmans.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Drupad establishes the bride-winning test
summary: Drupad, wishing Arjun to win his daughter, sets a difficult contest involving
a strong bow, a whirling discus, and a high target.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:8
- fig:10
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: wedding assembly gathers
summary: Princes, chiefs, rishis, Kurus with Karna, and Brahmans assemble as the
day of the bride's choice approaches.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:8
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: escape from a death-plot by fire
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The Pandavas and their mother survive a planned burning of an inflammable
house by escaping through a subterranean passage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not name the episode or expand on the planning beyond
the killing scheme and the fired house.
- id: motif:2
label: sacred birth from altar and sacrificial fire
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_birth
basis: The Panchala princess is said to spring from the altar, and her brother is
said to spring from sacrificial fire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage reports the birth through the speech of traveling Brahmans
and gives no further origin narrative here.
- id: motif:3
label: bride's choice assembly
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_marriage
basis: The princess is to choose a husband from assembled kings under the swayamvara
custom, with a royal wedding feast and gathering of suitors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The marriage is presented as royal custom; a sacred-marriage classification
is broad and should be reviewed.
- id: motif:4
label: bride-winning martial contest
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Drupad declares that whoever strings the strong bow and strikes the target
through the whirling discus will win the bride.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The contest is set up, but the passage segment ends before the contest
is performed.
- id: motif:5
label: disguised royal exiles entering a public contest setting
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: The Pandavas leave after the fire, live disguised as Brahmans, and arrive
at Panchala unknown before the wedding assembly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference to departure is general; the passage emphasizes
concealment and travel more than a formal departure rite.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The altar-born princess and fire-born brother fit the sacred-birth motif
family because both births occur from ritual fire or altar rather than ordinary
human birth.
claim_level: same_motif
target: sacred_birth motif family
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The excerpt gives only a brief descriptive account and not the full
ritual or causal context of the births.
- id: claim:2
claim: The swayamvara episode functions as a bride-choice and bride-winning pattern
in which a royal woman is associated with a public assembly of suitors and a contest
condition.
claim_level: same_function
target: sacred_marriage / bride-choice assembly pattern
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:7
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage presents the ceremony as social and royal custom; any broader
sacred-marriage interpretation requires review beyond this excerpt.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 602-621
quote_or_summary: Yudhishthir is recognized as heir-apparent; Duryodhan and his
brothers plot to kill the sons of Pandu. The Pandavas and their mother are sent
to Varanavata, placed in an inflammable house, escape the set fire through a subterranean
passage, and live disguised as Brahmans.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 622-654
quote_or_summary: The Pandavas hear of the Panchala princess's marriage celebration;
Brahmans traveling to South Panchala tell them Drupad is holding a feast and that
the princess will choose a husband at a swayamvara.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:3
type: quote
locator: lines 655-668
quote_or_summary: "“From the Altar sprang the maiden”; her brother “sprang from
Sacrificial Fire.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 669-703
quote_or_summary: The Brahmans describe the princess's beauty, expected suitors,
gifts, feasting, performers, and possible success for the Pandavas; Yudhishthir
agrees to go to Panchala.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 704-727
quote_or_summary: Vyasa appears, the princes bow and receive his blessing, then
travel through woods and waters to Panchala, where they stay in a potter's cottage
and remain unknown while disguised as Brahmans.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 728-739
quote_or_summary: Drupad desires Arjun as husband for his daughter and makes a hard-to-bend
bow, a whirling discus, and a distant target; the one who strings the bow and
hits the target through the discus wins the bride.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 740-743
quote_or_summary: Princes and chiefs arrive from many regions; rishis, the Kurus
with Karna, and Brahmans gather as the festal day approaches and the stages fill
for the maiden's choice.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The main actions, figures, and ritual objects are explicit in the passage.
Motif labels involving sacred birth and bride-winning are well supported; broader
taxonomy alignment with sacred_marriage and departure is more general and needs
review.
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: |-
Only the supplied passage and metadata were used. Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna are not named in this excerpt, so the figures are labeled by the passage's wording.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg__l602-l743
passage_sha256=0da1d0e9ad7efb6b8765ef13033f3f2858e7dafd5aaf8cd619201dc94d50c813