batch.motif.hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg-l745-l887
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg-l745-l887
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK I / ASTRA DARSANA / BOOK II / SWAYAMVARA; lines 745-887
start: '745'
end: '887'
translation: Maha-bharata
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: 'A splendid arena is built for Draupadi''s swayamvara. Royal suitors gather,
while the sons of Pandu attend in Brahman disguise. Draupadi enters with a bridal
garland, a priest lights the ritual fire, and Drupad''s son announces the archery
trial: the successful noble suitor who shoots arrows through a whirling discus
to the suspended target may claim Draupadi. Many princes are named. The suitors
rise in rivalry and desire; gods and celestial beings observe; Krishna recognizes
the disguised Pandavas though others do not.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A level ground north-east of the festive city is enclosed and surrounded by
domes, palaces, a moat, walls, gates, arched doors, and a canopy.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The festive space is decorated with fragrances, sandal paste, wreaths, gems,
golden nets, carpets, festoons, garlands, and white mansions with high turrets.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Royal guests and princely suitors arrive with wealth, pride, chariots, armor,
jewels, and retinues.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: obs:4
text: The sons of Pandu attend the gathering in the guise of Brahmans and observe
Drupad's wealth and splendour.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Draupadi enters on the bridal day after morning ablutions, wearing festive
garments and carrying a golden bridal garland.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: A Brahman priest lights the fire and makes pious offerings while holy men
repeat benedictions and the drums and trumpets fall silent.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Drupad's son leads Draupadi forward and publicly declares the conditions of
the archery contest.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The announced trial requires a noble-born contestant to shoot five arrows
through a whirling pierced discus at a suspended target.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Drupad's son names princes and suitors from many regions and tells Draupadi
their lineages and deeds.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: The suitors regard one another as rivals and look on Draupadi as a desired
bride.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Gods and celestial beings come in aerial or sky-associated forms to view the
wedding scene.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: Krishna notices the sons of Pandu in their Brahman disguise and points them
out to Valadeva; other chiefs do not recognize them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: Heavenly blossoms descend and fill the air with perfume while immortals view
the scene.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Draupadi
description: Drupad's daughter and Panchala's bride; she enters with a golden bridal
garland and is the object of the swayamvara contest.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Drupad's son
description: Draupadi's brother who leads her forward, announces the contest, and
identifies the suitors and their lineages.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Drupad
description: Panchala king whose wealth and splendour are observed and whose wishes
are proclaimed through his son.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Sons of Pandu
description: The Pandava brothers sit among Brahmans in disguise; Krishna recognizes
them, though other chiefs do not.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Brahman priest
description: A priest versed in mantra who lights the fire and seeks its blessing
through offerings.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Royal suitors and assembled monarchs
description: Kings, princes, and warriors gathered to compete for Draupadi; named
figures include Duryodhana, Karna, Salya, Jayadratha, Sisupala, and Jarasandha.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Krishna
description: A Yadu and Vrishni chief of righteous fame who attends the wedding
and recognizes the disguised sons of Pandu.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Valadeva
description: Krishna's brother, armed with a ploughshare, who attends the wedding
and is shown the disguised sons of Pandu by Krishna.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Gods and celestial beings
description: Adityas, Maruts, suparnas, nagas, deva-rishis, gandharvas, apsaras,
and other immortals who come to view the scene.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: bride and prize of contest
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Draupadi is led forth as the bride and the successful archer may claim her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:2
label: announcer of trial and lineages
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Drupad's son declares the archery conditions and names the suitors to Draupadi.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: host king
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The gathering displays Drupad's wealth, and his wishes are proclaimed for
the contest.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: disguised claimants
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The sons of Pandu mingle with Brahmans in disguise and are later recognized
by Krishna.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: potential bridegroom or suitor
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:6
basis: The assembled rulers seek to hit the target and win Draupadi; the Pandavas
also look on her with desire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:6
label: ritual officiant
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The Brahman versed in mantra lights the fire and offers pious offerings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: recognizing observer
assigned_to:
- fig:7
- fig:8
basis: Krishna recognizes the disguised Pandavas and points them out to Valadeva.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:8
label: celestial spectators
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Divine and celestial beings come to view the bridal scene.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: ritual fire
literal_form: Fire lit by the Brahman priest for offerings and blessing
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: bridal garland
literal_form: Golden bridal garland carried by Draupadi
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: bow and suspended target
literal_form: Bow, whirling pierced discus, five arrows, and a high suspended target
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: Brahman disguise
literal_form: Pandu's sons appearing among Brahmans rather than as warriors
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
- id: sym:5
label: mountain-like splendour
literal_form: White mansions and turrets compared to peaks of Kailasa and Himalaya
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:6
label: heavenly blossoms
literal_form: Blossoms descending from above with perfume
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Construction and adornment of the swayamvara arena
summary: A fortified and decorated ceremonial ground is prepared outside the city
for the royal gathering.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Arrival of guests and hidden Pandavas
summary: Kings and princes gather in splendour, while the sons of Pandu enter among
Brahmans and watch the festival.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Draupadi's ritual entrance
summary: Draupadi appears with a garland after ablutions, and a Brahman priest consecrates
the moment with fire and offerings.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Announcement of the archery test
summary: Drupad's son explains that the noble man who shoots five arrows through
the whirling discus to the target may claim Draupadi.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Naming and rivalry of suitors
summary: The bride's brother names the leading suitors, and the assembled rulers
rise with pride, rivalry, and desire for Draupadi.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Divine spectators and recognition by Krishna
summary: Celestial beings attend the scene; Krishna recognizes the disguised sons
of Pandu and points them out to Valadeva while others remain unaware.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: bride-winning archery contest
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_marriage
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Draupadi's marriage is to be determined by a public royal contest requiring
a noble-born suitor to hit a difficult target with arrows.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents a royal swayamvara and martial test; the broader
sacred or dynastic significance is suggested by ritual and royal setting but not
fully developed in this excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: heroic figures hidden in disguise at public assembly
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The sons of Pandu sit in Brahman guise among the assembly and are recognized
by Krishna but not by the other chiefs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not yet show the outcome of the disguise or contest.
- id: motif:3
label: ritual consecration by fire before marriage selection
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: A Brahman priest lights the fire and makes offerings before the proclamation
and selection ceremony.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage describes offerings and blessing, not a detailed sacrificial
rite.
- id: motif:4
label: divine spectators at a human royal event
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Gods, celestial beings, and immortals come to view the bridal contest, and
heavenly blossoms descend.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not state that the divine spectators intervene in the
action.
- id: motif:5
label: rival suitors inflamed by desire
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_beloved
basis: The suitors are described as proud, desirous, and mutually hostile while
each regards Draupadi as his own prospective wife.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference is approximate; Draupadi is royal and exceptionally
desired in this passage, but not explicitly described here as a goddess.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage explicitly compares the suitors' rivalry for Draupadi to gods
striving when inspired by Uma's love.
claim_level: same_function
target: divine rivalry for Uma's love
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: This is an internal simile in the passage, not evidence by itself for
shared origin or historical contact with another narrative.
- id: claim:2
claim: The palatial wedding setting is visually compared to the peaks of Kailasa
and Himalaya.
claim_level: visual_similarity
target: Kailasa and Himalaya mountain imagery
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The comparison concerns imagery of height and whiteness, not a full
mountain myth or world-center motif.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 745-778
quote_or_summary: Royal guests arrive; a level ground is enclosed north-east of
the city and adorned with palaces, walls, gates, canopies, fragrances, white mansions,
gems, garlands, and mountain-like turrets.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 779-790
quote_or_summary: The festive day approaches; the sons of Pandu mingle with Brahmans
in disguise and observe Drupad's wealth during fifteen days of entertainment.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 791-804
quote_or_summary: Draupadi enters after ablutions with a golden bridal garland;
a Brahman priest lights the fire with offerings; holy men give benedictions; Drupad's
son leads out his sister.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: quote
locator: 805-810
quote_or_summary: '"Through yon whirling pierced discus let five glist''ning arrows
fly"; the noble-born archer who hits the suspended aim may claim Drupad''s daughter.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 811-836
quote_or_summary: Drupad's son names the suitors and their lineages, including Duryodhana,
Karna, rulers from many regions, Valadeva, Krishna, Jayadratha, Sisupala, Jarasandha,
and others who seek Draupadi's hand.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 837-850
quote_or_summary: The jeweled young suitors rise with pride and desire, regard each
other as rivals, and are compared to bright gods striving when inspired by Uma's
love.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 851-858
quote_or_summary: Gods and celestial beings, including Adityas, Maruts, suparnas,
nagas, deva-rishis, gandharvas, and apsaras, come to view the bridal scene; Valadeva
and Krishna attend with Yadu chieftains.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/mahabharata-dutt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 859-887
quote_or_summary: Krishna recognizes the sons of Pandu in Brahman guise and points
them out to Valadeva; other chiefs do not know them; the Pandavas gaze at Draupadi,
and heavenly blossoms descend.
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 passage is explicit about the setting, figures, ritual, contest, disguise,
and divine spectators. Motif taxonomy links are partly 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 supplied passage and metadata. No external narrative outcome was added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-mahabharata-dutt-gutenberg__l745-l887
passage_sha256=a3af8fc764d569b17faebe40c0a9bcfb52776f8e9b4e890217153b07f3b9e40e