batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l28814-l28991
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l28814-l28991
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto XII. The Heavenly Bow. / Canto XVI. Winter. / Canto XVIII. The Mutilation.
/ Canto XIX. The Rousing Of Khara.; lines 28814-28991
start: '28814'
end: '28991'
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: Khara sees his mutilated sister Śúrpaṇakhá and asks who harmed her. She
identifies Ráma and Lakshmaṇ, describes Sítá with them, and urges revenge. Khara
sends fourteen giants to kill the two brothers and Sítá. The giants return with
Śúrpaṇakhá to Ráma’s dwelling. Ráma instructs Lakshmaṇ to guard Sítá, arms himself,
warns the giants to leave, and the giants threaten him in Khara’s name.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Khara sees his sister lying with blood-stained limbs and a troubled eye.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Khara asks his sister to identify the hand or being that marred and mutilated
her.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Khara says his sister had strength, fierceness, freedom of movement, and the
ability to use each shape.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: Khara vows that his darts will take the life of the one responsible for the
mutilation.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:5
text: Śúrpaṇakhá identifies the attackers as Daśaratha’s sons, Ráma and Lakshmaṇ,
describing them as a young, strong pair living on forest food and wearing ascetic
forest dress.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Śúrpaṇakhá says a fair young woman was seen between the two youths and that
the royal pair acted for her sake.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:7
text: Śúrpaṇakhá asks to take part in vengeance and says she wants to drink the
lifeblood of Ráma, Lakshmaṇ, and Sítá.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:8
text: Khara commands fourteen giants to kill the two men and the woman and return
so Śúrpaṇakhá may drink their lifeblood.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:9
text: The giants go forth with Śúrpaṇakhá toward Ráma’s dwelling.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: At the leafy cot, the giants see Ráma by Sítá’s side and Lakshmaṇ ready to
serve his brother’s will.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:11
text: Ráma tells Lakshmaṇ to watch over Sítá’s safety while he slays the creatures
pursuing his spouse.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:12
text: Ráma strings his gold-adorned bow and addresses the giant band.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: Ráma says he and Lakshmaṇ dwell with Sítá in Daṇḍak forest, live on roots
and fruit, and follow strict rule.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:14
text: Ráma says he has come, at the hermits’ prayer, to slay the sinful band, but
warns the giants to return unless they reject their lives.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:15
text: The giants answer that Ráma has angered Khara and will yield his life to them
in battle.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Khara
description: A monstrous giant who sees his wounded sister, questions her, vows
revenge, and commands fourteen giants.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Śúrpaṇakhá
description: Khara’s sister, lying blood-stained and later urging vengeance against
Ráma, Lakshmaṇ, and Sítá.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Ráma
description: One of Daśaratha’s sons, dwelling in Daṇḍak forest with Sítá and Lakshmaṇ;
he arms himself against the giants.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Lakshmaṇ
description: One of Daśaratha’s sons and Ráma’s brother, faithful and ready to serve
Ráma’s will; he is told to guard Sítá.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Sítá
description: A fair young woman dwelling with Ráma and Lakshmaṇ in Daṇḍak forest;
Ráma calls her his spouse and orders Lakshmaṇ to protect her.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Fourteen giants of Khara’s crew
description: A band of twice seven giants sent by Khara to kill Ráma, Lakshmaṇ,
and Sítá; they later confront and threaten Ráma.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: avenging brother
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Khara reacts to his sister’s mutilation with fury and orders vengeance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: giant commander
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Khara gives orders to fourteen giants of his crew, and the giants call him
their lord.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: mutilated sister
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Śúrpaṇakhá is described as Khara’s sister with blood-stained limbs, and Khara
asks who marred her form.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: vengeance-seeker
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Śúrpaṇakhá urges her brother to battle and wants to drink the lifeblood of
those she names.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: royal brother pair
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:4
basis: Śúrpaṇakhá identifies Ráma and Lakshmaṇ as Daśaratha’s sons, a pair with
signs of regal sway.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: armed forest defender
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Ráma strings his bow, confronts the giants, and says he has come to slay
them at the hermits’ prayer.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: protective younger brother or attendant
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Lakshmaṇ is described as faithful and ready to wait upon his brother’s will,
and Ráma assigns him to guard Sítá.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: protected spouse
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Ráma is shown by Sítá’s side, calls her his spouse, and asks Lakshmaṇ to
watch over her safety.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: hostile giant band
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Khara sends the giants to kill the brothers and Sítá, and they confront Ráma
with weapons and threats.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: black snake provoked
literal_form: A black snake whose poison-laden fang is provoked by an idle stroke.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: lifeblood for vengeance
literal_form: Blood or hearts’ blood that Śúrpaṇakhá desires to drink after the
deaths of Ráma, Lakshmaṇ, and Sítá.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: Daṇḍak forest dwelling
literal_form: Wild Daṇḍak forest, the leafy cot, and forest shade where Ráma, Lakshmaṇ,
and Sítá dwell.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: gold-adorned bow
literal_form: Ráma’s great bow adorned with gold, strung before addressing the giant
band.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: ascetic forest dress
literal_form: Deerskin, bark, and matted hair worn by the two armed men.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Khara questions his mutilated sister
summary: Khara sees Śúrpaṇakhá blood-stained and distressed, asks who harmed her,
recalls her powers, and vows lethal revenge.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Śúrpaṇakhá names Ráma, Lakshmaṇ, and Sítá
summary: Śúrpaṇakhá identifies Ráma and Lakshmaṇ as Daśaratha’s sons, describes
their forest life and the woman with them, and demands vengeance.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Khara sends fourteen giants
summary: Khara orders fourteen giants to kill the two brothers and the woman so
that Śúrpaṇakhá may take vengeance.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: The giants approach Ráma’s dwelling
summary: Śúrpaṇakhá leads the giants to Ráma’s leafy cot, where they see Ráma with
Sítá and Lakshmaṇ attending him.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Ráma assigns Lakshmaṇ to guard Sítá
summary: Ráma notices the approaching giants and tells Lakshmaṇ to protect Sítá
while he fights the pursuers.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:6
label: Ráma warns the giant band
summary: Ráma strings his bow, identifies himself and Lakshmaṇ, states his forest
discipline and mission on behalf of hermits, and tells the giants to leave.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:7
label: The giants threaten Ráma
summary: The armed giants answer that Ráma has angered Khara and will lose his bow,
strength, and life in battle.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Mutilated sister rouses brother’s vengeance
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage centers on Khara reacting to Śúrpaṇakhá’s mutilation and sending
warriors to avenge her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: This is a passage-level narrative pattern; no supplied taxonomy family
directly names it.
- id: motif:2
label: Shapeshifting female antagonist
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: Khara explicitly says Śúrpaṇakhá could choose her way at will and use each
shape.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage mentions the ability but does not show an actual transformation
in this excerpt.
- id: motif:3
label: Heroic royal sibling pair in forest exile
taxonomy_refs:
- sibling_pair
basis: Ráma and Lakshmaṇ are repeatedly identified as Daśaratha’s two sons living
together in Daṇḍak forest under ascetic discipline.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage emphasizes brotherhood and paired identity but does not provide
the broader exile context.
- id: motif:4
label: Protector assigns guardian for threatened spouse
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: When hostile giants approach, Ráma tells Lakshmaṇ to watch over Sítá’s safety
while he fights.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The protected-spouse pattern is evident locally; no direct taxonomy reference
is supplied for this motif.
- id: motif:5
label: Forest ascetic warrior confronts demonic attackers
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ráma identifies his strict forest life and states that he has come with bow
and darts, at the hermits’ prayer, to slay the hostile night-rovers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The term demonic is inferred only from the translation’s labels such as
giants, fiends, and rovers of the night.
- id: motif:6
label: Serpent image for dangerous provocation
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
basis: Khara compares attacking Śúrpaṇakhá to provoking the poison fang of a black
snake.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a simile rather than an episode involving an actual serpent.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 28814-28849
quote_or_summary: Khara sees his blood-stained sister, asks who mutilated her, compares
provoking her to provoking a black snake, mentions her power to use each shape,
and vows to kill the offender.
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 28850-28877
quote_or_summary: Śúrpaṇakhá names Daśaratha’s sons Ráma and Lakshmaṇ, describes
their ascetic forest life and a fair young woman with them, and asks to drink
their lifeblood in revenge.
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 28878-28898
quote_or_summary: Khara orders fourteen giants to kill two armed men and the woman
in Daṇḍak forest so that Śúrpaṇakhá may take vengeance and drink their blood.
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 28899-28917
quote_or_summary: Śúrpaṇakhá leads the giants to Ráma’s dwelling; they see Ráma
with Sítá and Lakshmaṇ, and Ráma tells Lakshmaṇ to guard Sítá while he fights.
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 28918-28942
quote_or_summary: Ráma strings his gold-adorned bow, identifies himself and Lakshmaṇ
as Daśaratha’s sons living with Sítá in Daṇḍak forest, says he acts at the hermits’
prayer, and warns the giants to leave.
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 28943-28991
quote_or_summary: The giants respond angrily, call Khara their lord, raise their
weapons, and threaten that Ráma will lose his bow, strength, and life in battle.
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: high
notes: Main narrative elements are explicit in the supplied passage. Motif labels
are candidate, passage-level abstractions and require human review. No comparison
claims were added because the excerpt does not itself establish an external comparative
relationship.
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 supplied passage text and metadata were used. Taxonomy references were limited to available refs and applied only where directly supported by the passage.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l28814-l28991
passage_sha256=951ecc7f7fbe08fbf5bc9e6e0fc916d2fa26a5060c1f5a78192efa5a8b3f5a8c