batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l2783-l2944
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l2783-l2944
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto X. Rishyasring Invited. / Canto XI. The Sacrifice Decreed. / Canto
XII. The Sacrifice Begun. / Canto XIII. The Sacrifice Finished.; lines 2783-2944
start: '2783'
end: '2944'
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 a series of prescribed sacrificial rites, King Daśaratha gives ritual
fees to the priests, who decline land and receive other gifts. Daśaratha asks
Rishyaśring for sons, and Rishyaśring promises four sons and begins another rite.
The gods gather for their sacrificial shares and agree to grant the king’s request.
The gods then appeal to Brahmá about Rávaṇ, whose boon protects him from gods,
demons, and other beings; Brahmá states that only a human can slay him. Vishṇu
arrives armed and mounted on his eagle, and the gods ask him for help.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Several named rites are performed in prescribed order, including Ukthya, Atirátra,
Aptoryám, Abhijit, Viśvajit, Jyotishṭom, and Áyus.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The king grants regions of land to the officiating priests after the sacrifice.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The priests decline the gift of land, saying the king alone should keep control
of the earth and that they seek other gifts.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Daśaratha gives cattle, gold, and silver; the priests give their shares to
Vaśishṭha and Rishyaśring.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Daśaratha asks Rishyaśring to grant increase to his race, and Rishyaśring
replies that four sons will be his.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Rishyaśring announces and begins another rite, with Atharva texts to be read,
for the purpose of winning the sons desired by the king.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: The gods assemble at the rite to receive their allotted shares, and Rishyaśring
asks them to grant Daśaratha four sons.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: The gods say Daśaratha’s longing will be gratified, then vanish led by Indra.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: The assembled immortals petition Brahmá, saying that Rávaṇ torments gods,
saints, bards, sages, earth, heaven, and hell.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: The gods state that Brahmá previously granted Rávaṇ a boon protecting his
life from gods, demons, heavenly bards, and spirits of earth and air.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:11
text: 'The passage describes cosmic powers as constrained by fear of Rávaṇ: the
sun withholds glow, wind forbears to blow, fire restrains heat, and the sea fears
to rave.'
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:12
text: 'Brahmá identifies a limit in Rávaṇ’s protection: the boon did not account
for a human, and only a human can slay him.'
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:13
text: Vishṇu arrives at the divine council bearing shell, mace, and discus, wearing
saffron robes, and riding his eagle.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:14
text: The gods praise Vishṇu as refuge and helper of the suffering worlds, and Vishṇu
asks what he may do to grant their prayer.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Daśaratha
description: King of Ikshváku’s line who completes sacrifices, gives ritual fees,
and asks for sons to increase his race.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Rishyaśring
description: Hermit and son of Vibháṇdak who answers Daśaratha, promises four sons,
begins another rite, and intercedes with the gods.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Sacred ministrants and priests
description: Ritual officiants, including named priestly functions, who receive
and then decline land gifts and accept other largess.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Vaśishṭha
description: A high-souled saint to whom the priests give their shares along with
Rishyaśring.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Gathered Gods and Immortals
description: Divine beings assembled at the rite for their shares; they consent
to grant Daśaratha’s request and later petition Brahmá about Rávaṇ.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Brahmá
description: Lord addressed by the immortals; he had granted Rávaṇ a protective
boon and identifies the human loophole in it.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:12
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Rávaṇ
description: Ruler of the giant race whose boon makes him bold and who is described
as tormenting gods, saints, and the worlds.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Vishṇu
description: Divine figure who arrives armed with shell, mace, and discus, riding
an eagle, and is asked by the gods to help.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Indra
description: Named among the gathered gods and described as leading them when they
vanish.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Kuvera
description: A divine figure said to have been driven from his blissful seat in
defeat by Rávaṇ.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
roles:
- id: role:1
label: royal sacrificer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Daśaratha completes prescribed rites and the votive horse sacrifice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: role:2
label: supplicant for sons
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: He asks Rishyaśring for the increase of his race and is the beneficiary of
the gods’ promise.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:3
label: officiating hermit and intercessor
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Rishyaśring begins the additional rite and prays to the gods on Daśaratha’s
behalf.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: ritual priest or Brahman recipient
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:4
basis: Priests receive ritual gifts, decline land, and transfer shares to Vaśishṭha
and Rishyaśring.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: assembled deity
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:9
basis: The gods, including Indra, gather at the rite for their allotted shares.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: divine petitioners
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The immortals pray to Brahmá to find a remedy for Rávaṇ’s oppression.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:7
label: boon-giver and resolver
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Brahmá is said to have given Rávaṇ the boon and then explains the way Rávaṇ
may be killed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:12
- id: role:8
label: oppressive giant protected by boon
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Rávaṇ is described as tormenting divine and holy beings and as protected
from many classes of beings by Brahmá’s boon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:9
label: armed divine refuge
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The gods acclaim Vishṇu as refuge and helper, and he arrives with divine
weapons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: role:10
label: leader among gods
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The gods vanish led by Indra and later rejoice with Indra at their head.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:12
- id: role:11
label: defeated divine figure
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Kuvera is described as driven from his blissful seat in defeat.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: sacrificial fire
literal_form: Atirátra’s holy flame and other sacrificial rites involving offerings
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- id: sym:2
label: votive steed
literal_form: The horse slain for Daśaratha’s sacrifice
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:3
label: four sons
literal_form: Four sons promised to Daśaratha as upholders of his royal line
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: sym:4
label: ritual shares
literal_form: Allotted shares sought by the gods at the sacrifice
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: protective boon
literal_form: Brahmá’s boon protecting Rávaṇ from gods, demons, heavenly bards,
and spirits of earth and air
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:12
- id: sym:6
label: human loophole
literal_form: The omitted category of man or woman born, through which Rávaṇ may
be slain
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: sym:7
label: constrained cosmic elements
literal_form: Sun, wind, fire, and sea restraining their usual actions before Rávaṇ
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:8
label: Vishṇu’s weapons and mount
literal_form: Shell, mace, discus, saffron robes, and eagle mount
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: sym:9
label: cattle, gold, and silver gifts
literal_form: Ten hundred thousand kine, gold, and silver given as priestly largess
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Completion of prescribed sacrificial rites
summary: Named rites are performed according to sacred law, and the king distributes
land to the officiating priests after the great horse sacrifice.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Priestly renunciation of land and transfer of gifts
summary: The priests decline control of land, accept other gifts, and give their
shares to Vaśishṭha and Rishyaśring.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Promise and ritual quest for sons
summary: Daśaratha asks for increase of his race; Rishyaśring promises four sons
and begins another rite with Atharva texts.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Gods receive shares and consent to royal offspring
summary: The gods assemble at the sacrifice, Rishyaśring asks them to grant four
sons to Daśaratha, and they agree.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:5
label: Divine complaint against Rávaṇ
summary: The immortals petition Brahmá, describing Rávaṇ’s oppression and the protective
boon that prevents gods and other beings from killing him.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: scene:6
label: Brahmá reveals the human means of Rávaṇ’s death
summary: Brahmá states that Rávaṇ’s boon did not protect him from humans and that
only a human can slay him.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: scene:7
label: Vishṇu arrives as divine helper
summary: Vishṇu enters the divine council armed and mounted on an eagle; the gods
praise him as refuge and ask for aid, and he asks what he may do.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: royal horse sacrifice seeking heirs
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
- sacred_birth
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Daśaratha’s horse sacrifice and subsequent rite are explicitly undertaken
so that he may gain sons who will uphold his royal line.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage promises sons but does not narrate their birth.
- id: motif:2
label: divine consent to miraculous royal offspring
taxonomy_refs:
- miraculous_child
- sacred_birth
- divine_parent_child
basis: Rishyaśring requests that the gods crown the king’s offerings with four sons,
and the gods say the longing will be gratified.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The exact manner of conception or divine parentage is not given in this
excerpt.
- id: motif:3
label: sacred exchange between king, priests, and gods
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
- sacrifice
basis: The rite includes allotted divine shares and priestly fees; the priests decline
land, receive other wealth, and transfer shares to holy figures.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage emphasizes ritual propriety and gift exchange, but broader
social interpretation requires context outside the excerpt.
- id: motif:4
label: boon with an overlooked vulnerability
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Brahmá explains that Rávaṇ’s protective boon listed many beings but omitted
humans, creating the only way he can be slain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: No dedicated taxonomy ref for 'boon loophole' is available; 'wisdom' is
a broad fit because the resolution depends on discerning the omitted category.
- id: motif:5
label: divine appeal for a savior against a cosmic oppressor
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
- world_destroying_fire
basis: The gods describe Rávaṇ’s oppression across heaven, earth, and hell and ask
Brahmá and then Vishṇu for help.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:11
- ev:14
confidence: medium
cautions: The excerpt shows divine appeal and cosmic disorder, but it does not yet
narrate punishment or destruction.
- id: motif:6
label: armed deity arriving to answer suffering worlds
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
basis: Vishṇu arrives in a heavenly council on his eagle, bearing weapons, and is
acclaimed as refuge for the suffering worlds.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
confidence: low
cautions: The available taxonomy has no exact ref for divine descent or intervention;
'ascent' is only a weak formal match to divine movement and should be reviewed.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 2783-2793
quote_or_summary: Named rites, including Ukthya, Atirátra, Aptoryám, Abhijit, Viśvajit,
Jyotishṭom, and Áyus, are arranged and performed in proper sequence.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 2794-2805
quote_or_summary: After the task is done according to law, the king grants eastern,
western, southern, and northern regions to different priestly officiants at the
great Slaughter of the Steed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 2806-2814
quote_or_summary: The priests tell the king that the whole earth is his to keep
and that they do not seek gifts of land, since their lives are spent on sacred
lore.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 2815-2824
quote_or_summary: The king gives cattle, gold, and silver; the priests resign their
shares and give the whole to Vaśishṭha and Rishyaśring.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 2825-2832
quote_or_summary: Daśaratha asks Rishyaśring to increase his race; Rishyaśring replies
that four sons will be born to uphold the royal line.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 2833-2844
quote_or_summary: Rishyaśring says he will begin another rite, with Atharva texts
read first, to win the sons Daśaratha desires; he then begins the high sacrifice
for the king’s advantage.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 2845-2864
quote_or_summary: Gods and other heavenly beings gather for their shares; Rishyaśring
says Daśaratha has slain the votive steed to gain a son and asks the gods to grant
four sons of high renown.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 2865-2868
quote_or_summary: The gods answer that Daśaratha’s longing shall be gratified, then
vanish led by Indra.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 2869-2881
quote_or_summary: The immortals pray to Brahmá, saying that Rávaṇ, ruler of the
giant race, torments gods and penance-loving saints and scourges earth, heaven,
and hell.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 2874-2879 and 2897-2902
quote_or_summary: Brahmá had granted Rávaṇ a boon that gods, demons, heavenly bards,
and spirits of earth and air would not kill him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 2882-2893
quote_or_summary: The passage says the sun, wind, fire, and sea restrain their natural
actions in fear of Rávaṇ, and Kuvera is driven from his seat.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: lines 2894-2908
quote_or_summary: Brahmá says Rávaṇ scornfully omitted humans from his request for
protection, so none but a human can slay him; the gods rejoice.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: lines 2909-2918
quote_or_summary: Vishṇu comes to the council crowned with glory, bearing shell,
mace, and discus, wearing saffron robes, and riding his eagle.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:14
type: summary
locator: lines 2919-2944
quote_or_summary: The gods praise Vishṇu as refuge and friend of the suffering worlds;
Vishṇu asks them what he may do to grant their prayer.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain; summarized from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Passage-level actions, figures, and ritual sequence are explicit. Some motif
assignments are broader taxonomy fits and should be reviewed, especially where
the available taxonomy lacks exact labels for boon loophole or divine descent.
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 comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not make an explicit comparative claim.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l2783-l2944
passage_sha256=f8b3af6632454ddd311b3628bbdf91a1e3f9a9dfb38bbfa1c57e2300109ad28e