batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l26707-l26883
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l26707-l26883
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto CXIX. The Forest. / BOOK III. / Canto I. The Hermitage. / Canto V.
Sarabhanga.; lines 26707-26883
start: '26707'
end: '26883'
translation: The Ramayan of Valmiki
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: After Ráma slays Virádha, he, Sítá, and Lakshmaṇ proceed through a harsh
forest to the hermitage of Śarabhanga. Near the hermitage Ráma sees Indra in a
radiant aerial car attended by divine beings. Indra departs before Ráma approaches,
saying Ráma will see him later after a great task. Śarabhanga explains that Indra
came to take him to Brahmá’s sphere, but he waited to see Ráma. The sage directs
Ráma toward Sutíkshṇa’s hermitage by the Mandákiní brook, then enters the sacrificial
fire, sheds his body, appears in youthful radiance, ascends past heavenly realms,
and is welcomed by Brahmá.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Ráma has slain Virádha and consoles his spouse before advising Lakshmaṇ to
go to Śarabhanga’s abode.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The forest is described by Ráma as wild, dark, drear, rough, and difficult
to travel.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Ráma sees a radiant heavenly figure near Śarabhanga, riding an aerial car
and attended by gods, saints, bards, nymphs, and armed youths.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Ráma identifies the heavenly figure to Lakshmaṇ as Indra/Śakra, the monarch
of the skies, and describes his steeds and attendants.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Indra leaves before Ráma can speak with him, stating that Ráma will see him
later after a great task remains before him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Ráma, Lakshmaṇ, and Sítá approach Śarabhanga, bow to him, clasp his feet,
and sit beside him near the holy flame.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Śarabhanga says Indra came to convey him to Brahmá’s sphere, a realm won by
long and stern penance, but that he waited to see Ráma first.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Śarabhanga directs Ráma toward Sutíkshṇa’s woodland home, instructing him
to go against the stream of the Mandákiní brook and then turn aside.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Śarabhanga compares abandoning his body to a snake casting off its withered
skin.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Śarabhanga lays the fire in order, makes offerings with holy oil, lays down
his body in the fire, and the flame consumes skin, blood, flesh, and bones.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Śarabhanga emerges from the pyre transformed with radiant youthful appearance
and bright attire.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Śarabhanga rises beyond the homes of saints and gods, reaches Brahmá’s sphere,
beholds Brahmá, and is welcomed there.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Ráma
description: Prince and son of Raghu; slayer of Virádha; travels with Sítá and Lakshmaṇ;
observes Indra; questions Śarabhanga; seeks a dwelling in the grove.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Sítá / Videhan lady
description: Ráma’s spouse, called the Videhan lady and the dame, traveling with
Ráma and Lakshmaṇ.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Lakshmaṇ
description: Ráma’s brother and companion, addressed by Ráma and instructed to remain
with Sítá while Ráma identifies the radiant being.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Śarabhanga
description: Ancient ascetic sage of austere works, visited by Indra and later self-offered
into the fire before ascending to Brahmá’s sphere.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Indra / Śakra / Thunderer
description: Heavenly king and lord of Śachí, appearing in splendour on an aerial
car with divine attendants, then departing to heaven.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Divine attendants
description: Collective attendants around Indra, including gods, saints, bards,
nymphs with chouris, and armed youthful warders.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Brahmá
description: The Mighty Father in Brahmá’s sphere who welcomes Śarabhanga after
his ascent.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Sutíkshṇa
description: A nearby woodland saint of austere life whose hermitage Śarabhanga
directs Ráma to visit.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
roles:
- id: role:1
label: forest traveler
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Ráma leads the group through the wild forest toward Śarabhanga’s abode.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: honoured guest
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Śarabhanga delays his departure to see Ráma, calling him an honoured guest.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:3
label: future performer of a great task
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Indra says a great enterprise still lies before Ráma and that he will see
Indra later as victor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: spouse and companion
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Sítá is called Ráma’s spouse and accompanies him and Lakshmaṇ to the sage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: brother companion
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Lakshmaṇ is addressed as Ráma’s brother and accompanies him through the scene.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: ascetic sage
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Śarabhanga is associated with penance, holy works, and a hermitage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: spiritual guide
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Śarabhanga explains Indra’s visit and gives Ráma directions to Sutíkshṇa’s
hermitage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: self-offering ascender
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Śarabhanga enters the fire, sheds the body, emerges radiant, and ascends
to Brahmá’s sphere.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: heavenly king and divine visitor
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Indra appears with a radiant car and attendants, speaks with the sage, and
came to convey him to Brahmá’s sphere.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: heavenly retinue
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The passage describes gods, saints, bards, nymphs, and armed youths surrounding
and attending Indra.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:11
label: welcoming deity in highest sphere
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Brahmá welcomes Śarabhanga after his ascent to Brahmá’s sphere.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:12
label: destination hermit
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Śarabhanga identifies Sutíkshṇa’s woodland home as Ráma’s next destination.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: holy flame / fire
literal_form: Fire laid in order for offerings; the flame consumes Śarabhanga’s
body before he emerges transformed.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: sym:2
label: aerial car
literal_form: Radiant air-borne car drawn by tawny coursers and associated with
Indra’s heavenly arrival and departure.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: Mandákiní brook
literal_form: A brook whose stream marks the route to Sutíkshṇa’s hermitage, with
light rafts like blossoms on it.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: snake’s cast skin image
literal_form: Śarabhanga says he will cast aside the body as a snake casts its withered
skin.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: Brahmá’s sphere
literal_form: Celestial realm won by penance, reached by Śarabhanga after rising
beyond saints and gods.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Journey to Śarabhanga after Virádha’s death
summary: Ráma consoles Sítá after killing Virádha and tells Lakshmaṇ they should
hasten through the difficult forest to Śarabhanga’s pure abode.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Vision of Indra’s celestial retinue
summary: Near Śarabhanga’s hermitage, Ráma sees Indra in a radiant aerial car surrounded
by divine attendants and explains the sight to Lakshmaṇ.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Indra’s departure before Ráma approaches
summary: Indra notices Ráma approaching, says Ráma is not yet to see him directly
because a great task remains, and departs heavenward in his car.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Śarabhanga receives Ráma and explains Indra’s visit
summary: Ráma, Lakshmaṇ, and Sítá bow to Śarabhanga beside the holy flame; Śarabhanga
says Indra came to take him to Brahmá’s sphere but he waited to behold Ráma.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Directions to Sutíkshṇa’s hermitage
summary: Śarabhanga instructs Ráma to travel against the Mandákiní stream to reach
Sutíkshṇa’s home and announces that he will cast off his body.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Śarabhanga’s fire-offering and ascent
summary: Śarabhanga prepares the fire, makes offerings, enters it, is consumed,
emerges young and radiant, rises beyond celestial realms, reaches Brahmá’s sphere,
and is welcomed by Brahmá.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: ascent to a celestial realm after ascetic completion
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
- afterlife_journey_map
basis: Śarabhanga has won Brahmá’s sphere through penance and, after leaving his
body, rises beyond the homes of saints and gods to Brahmá’s realm.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage describes a specific ascent to Brahmá’s sphere rather than
a general map of all afterlife realms.
- id: motif:2
label: death and renewed radiant form through fire
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
- resurrection
basis: Śarabhanga lays his body in the fire, the body is consumed, and he emerges
transformed in youthful radiant form before ascending.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage frames the event as ascetic release and ascent; applying broader
resurrection language should be reviewed.
- id: motif:3
label: sacrificial self-offering into sacred fire
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: Śarabhanga orders the fire, makes holy oil offerings, and lays his own body
in the fire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not explicitly call the act a sacrifice, though it uses
fire-offering imagery.
- id: motif:4
label: divine visitation before a hero’s future task
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
- departure
basis: Indra appears at the hermitage but departs before Ráma speaks, saying Ráma
still has a great enterprise before him and will see Indra later as victor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The exact nature of the future task is not specified in this passage.
- id: motif:5
label: sage as guide to the next hermitage
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Śarabhanga interprets the divine visit for Ráma and gives him directions
to Sutíkshṇa’s woodland home along the Mandákiní.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a localized guidance scene rather than an extended wisdom discourse.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 26707-26726
quote_or_summary: After slaying Virádha, Ráma consoles his spouse, speaks to Lakshmaṇ
about the wild and difficult forest, and proposes going to Śarabhanga’s holy abode.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 26727-26790
quote_or_summary: 'Ráma sees a radiant heavenly monarch near Śarabhanga: Indra in
an aerial car with tawny coursers, canopy, nymphs, gods, saints, bards, and armed
youthful attendants; Ráma points out the car and attendants to Lakshmaṇ.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 26791-26808
quote_or_summary: Indra sees Ráma approaching, tells his followers to depart to
the celestial sphere before Ráma speaks, says Ráma will see him later as victor
after a great enterprise, and flies away to heaven in his car.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 26809-26841
quote_or_summary: Ráma, Lakshmaṇ, and Sítá approach Śarabhanga beside the holy flame,
bow and sit; Śarabhanga explains that Indra came to take him to Brahmá’s sphere,
earned by penance, but he waited to see Ráma.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 26842-26861
quote_or_summary: Ráma asks for a dwelling; Śarabhanga directs him to Sutíkshṇa’s
nearby woodland hermitage by traveling against the Mandákiní stream, then says
he will cast off his body like a snake’s withered skin.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 26862-26883
quote_or_summary: Śarabhanga prepares the fire, makes oil offerings, lays his body
in it, is consumed, emerges transformed as a radiant youth, ascends beyond the
homes of saints and gods, reaches Brahmá’s sphere, and is welcomed by Brahmá.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is strongly supported by the supplied passage. Motif labels
use only available taxonomy where appropriate, but broader motif classification
requires human review. No cross-text comparison claims were made because the passage
itself does not provide an explicit comparative target.
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: |-
All observations and interpretive candidates are based only on the supplied passage and metadata.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l26707-l26883
passage_sha256=8c2f56c018fcd17390eb6171ae0c51ba471d94d074c97e127a171c632a27bd59