batch.motif.hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg-l6629-l6716
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg-l6629-l6716
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK XI / SRADDHA / BOOK XII / ASWA-MEDHA; lines 6629-6716
start: '6629'
end: '6716'
translation: Maha-bharata
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: 'The passage describes Yudhishthir''s aswa-medha: many animals and the
sacrificial horse are prepared and immolated, celestial beings attend, priests
perform the rite, Draupadi is placed beside the slain horse, the horse''s parts
are offered on the altar, Yudhishthir distributes gifts, Vyasa returns the gift
of the realm and instructs him to rule, the rite is said to cleanse Yudhishthir''s
sins, and Krishna departs for Dwarka.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Bulls, steeds, and three hundred other creatures are tied to stakes for the
rite.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Deva-rishis, gandharvas, apsaras, kinnaras, kim-purushas, siddhas, Narad,
and Chetra-sena are present or active around the rite.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Priests slay the horse according to Vedic rules and place Draupadi beside
the dead steed.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Priests cook the horse, and Yudhishthir and his brothers inhale the fragrance
and smoke.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Parts of the horse are placed on a blazing altar as an offering.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Yudhishthir gives gold to Brahmans and offers his realm and wealth to Vyasa.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Vyasa returns the realm to Yudhishthir and tells him to rule the nations of
the earth.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The rite of ablution is said to cleanse Yudhishthir's sins.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Krishna leaves Hastina for Dwarka after the rite and gift-giving.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Yudhishthir
description: Kuru monarch who sponsors the aswa-medha, receives the Kuru-land, gives
gifts, and is said to have his sins cleansed.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Draupadi
description: Named as Queen of yajna and placed beside the slain horse.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Priests and Brahmans
description: Ritual officiants who slay and cook the horse, stand in order, receive
gifts, and perform offerings.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Vyasa
description: Ancient rishi and bard of the Vedas who blesses Yudhishthir, receives
but returns the realm, and instructs him to rule.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Krishna
description: Yudhishthir's friend who endorses Vyasa's words and later departs for
Dwarka.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Yudhishthir's brothers
description: Brothers who stand with Yudhishthir and inhale the sacrificial smoke
with him.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Sacrificial horse
description: Noble-breed horse slain in the aswa-medha, cooked, and offered in portions
on the altar.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Celestial attendees and performers
description: Divine or semi-divine beings who view, sing, dance, or stand around
the sacred site.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Parting monarchs
description: Kings who receive gifts from Yudhishthir and bless his name before
departing.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: royal sacrificial patron
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Yudhishthir sponsors the aswa-medha and gives extensive gifts connected with
the rite.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: role:2
label: Queen of yajna
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The passage explicitly calls Draupadi Queen of yajna and places her beside
the slain steed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: ritual officiants
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The priests stand in order, follow Vedic rules, slay and cook the horse,
and place offerings on the altar.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: Vedic sage and royal legitimating speaker
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Vyasa blesses the king, returns the realm, and tells Yudhishthir that the
gods destined him to rule.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:5
label: counselor and departing companion
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Krishna advises obedience to Vyasa's mandate and later leaves for Dwarka.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: purified ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The rite of ablution is said to cleanse Yudhishthir's sins, and he is described
as pure and high.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: gift recipients
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Brahmans and priests receive gold and rich dakshina.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: royal kin participating in rite
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Yudhishthir's brothers inhale the sacrificial fragrance and stand with him
afterward.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: sacrificial victim
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The horse is slain, cooked, divided, and offered on the altar.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:10
label: celestial witnesses and performers
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Divine and semi-divine beings view the feast, sing, dance, and stand around
the sacred site.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:11
label: recipient kings
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Monarchs receive gems, jewels, gold, garments, slaves, and damsels, then
bless Yudhishthir.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: sacrificial horse
literal_form: Slain aswa-medha horse whose body is cooked and offered.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: blazing altar
literal_form: Altar on which horse fragments are placed as an offering.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: sacrificial smoke and fragrance
literal_form: Smoke and fragrance from the cooked horse inhaled by Yudhishthir and
his brothers.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: royal and priestly gifts
literal_form: Gold, dakshina, gems, jewels, garments, slaves, damsels, and the offered
realm.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: pure ablution
literal_form: Ablution rite said to cleanse Yudhishthir's sins.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Celestial and ritual gathering at the aswa-medha
summary: Animals are tied for the rite while divine and semi-divine beings, musicians,
sages, and Brahmans gather around the sacred site.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:8
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Sacrifice of the horse
summary: Priests kill the horse according to Vedic rules, place Draupadi beside
it, cook it, and offer its parts on the altar while Yudhishthir and his brothers
inhale the smoke and fragrance.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Gifts and return of the realm
summary: Yudhishthir gives gold and offers his realm to Vyasa; Vyasa returns the
realm and instructs him to rule, with Krishna supporting the instruction.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Purification and regal display
summary: The aswa-medha and ablution are said to bring fame, virtue, and cleansing
of sins; Yudhishthir is compared to Indra among celestial beings, and monarchs
receive gifts and depart blessing him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Krishna's departure
summary: Krishna, described as faithful to the Pandavas in joy, sorrow, peace, and
war, leaves Hastina for Dwarka.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: horse sacrifice as royal rite
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: The passage centers on the aswa-medha in which the horse and other animals
are immolated, cooked, and offered by priests for Yudhishthir.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The extraction identifies the motif at passage level and does not infer
ritual details beyond those stated.
- id: motif:2
label: sacrifice conferring royal legitimacy
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: After the rite, Vyasa returns the realm and tells Yudhishthir the gods destined
him to rule; the passage also emphasizes Yudhishthir's fame, virtue, and regal
might.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage connects the rite and speeches with kingship, but broader
political theology is not inferred.
- id: motif:3
label: ritual gift exchange with renunciant return
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Yudhishthir gives immense wealth and the realm to Vyasa; Vyasa refuses to
keep the earthly gift and returns the empire while directing priestly wealth to
Brahmans.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The exchange is explicit, but its full ritual or legal meaning is not
explained in the passage.
- id: motif:4
label: ritual purification of sin
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage states that the rite of pure ablution cleanses Yudhishthir's
sins.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly names purification, so no taxonomy
ID is assigned.
- id: motif:5
label: divine and celestial witnessing of royal sacrifice
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Multiple celestial classes and heavenly figures attend, sing, dance, or observe
the sacrificial rite.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents celestial attendance but does not state a separate
doctrinal function for it.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: This passage is a clear instance of the sacrifice motif family, with animals
and the aswa-medha horse ritually slain, cooked, and offered.
claim_level: same_motif
target: sacrifice motif family
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The claim is limited to motif classification and does not compare this
episode to any external text.
- id: claim:2
claim: 'The passage uses the sacrifice to support royal legitimacy: Yudhishthir
is instructed to rule a divinely destined empire and is displayed in enhanced
regal status after the rite.'
claim_level: same_function
target: royal_legitimacy motif family
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The passage supports the function within this episode; no historical
claim about actual royal ritual practice is made.
- id: claim:3
claim: 'The gift sequence fits a sacred exchange pattern: the king gives wealth
and realm, the sage returns the realm, and priestly recipients receive dakshina.'
claim_level: same_function
target: sacred_exchange motif family
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage narrates exchange but does not explicitly theorize reciprocity,
obligation, or sacramental economy.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 6629-6652
quote_or_summary: Bulls, steeds, and three hundred other creatures are tied to stakes;
deva-rishis, gandharvas, apsaras, kinnaras, kim-purushas, siddhas, Narad, Chetra-sena,
and Vedic pupils attend or perform around the sacred rite.
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 6653-6664
quote_or_summary: In the section titled 'Sacrifice of the Horse,' priests guided
by Vedic rules slay the noble horse and place Draupadi, called Queen of yajna,
by the slain steed.
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 6665-6676
quote_or_summary: Priests cook the horse; Yudhishthir and his brothers inhale the
fragrance and sin-destroying smoke; severed limbs and fragments of the horse are
placed on the blazing altar; Vyasa blesses Yudhishthir and the assembled throng.
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 6677-6684
quote_or_summary: Yudhishthir gives countless gold nishkas to Brahmans and offers
all his realm and wealth to Vyasa, who returns the earthly gift rather than taking
it.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: quote
locator: lines 6685-6696
quote_or_summary: Vyasa says, 'Thine is Kuru's ancient empire' and tells Yudhishthir
to rule his subjects as father and lord; Krishna says Vyasa speaks wisdom and
should be obeyed; Yudhishthir receives the Kuru-land and enriches the priests.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation included.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 6697-6710
quote_or_summary: The aswa-medha brings Yudhishthir fame and virtue, the ablution
cleanses his sins, he stands among his brothers like Indra among sky-dwellers,
monarchs grace his might, and he gives rich gifts to them before they bless him.
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 6711-6716
quote_or_summary: Krishna, faithful to Arjun, Bhima, and Yudhishthir, mounts his
car with tears and leaves Hastina for sea-girt Dwarka.
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: medium
notes: The main ritual, figures, and gift sequence are explicit. Motif labels beyond
sacrifice and royal legitimacy are more interpretive and should be reviewed.
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: |-
Used only the provided passage and supplied taxonomy references; no external comparison texts or ritual details were added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg__l6629-l6716
passage_sha256=e646e96e3a42afe8b57199953665e76a65f09018b10d8164afc1da0e1ac17ff1