batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l31263-l31415
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l31263-l31415
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto XXIII. The Omens. / Canto XXIV. The Host In Sight. / Canto XXV. The
Battle. / Canto XXVIII. Khara Dismounted.; lines 31263-31415
start: '31263'
end: '31415'
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: Márícha counsels Rávaṇ not to attempt to take Sítá from Ráma, warning that
Ráma’s power will bring ruin on Rávaṇ, Lanká, and the giants. He urges consultation
with chiefs including Vibhishaṇ. Márícha then recounts his own former strength
and predations in Daṇḍak wood, and tells how Viśvámitra asked Daśaratha to send
the young Ráma against him, insisting that Ráma alone could destroy the fiend.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Márícha addresses Rávaṇ and warns him that smooth speakers are easy to find,
while speakers who give unpleasant but wise counsel are rare.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Márícha says Ráma is comparable in power to Varuṇ or Indra and can sweep the
giants from the land.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Márícha warns that Janak’s daughter Sítá could bring destruction on Rávaṇ
and Lanká if taken from Ráma.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Márícha describes Ráma as dutiful, truthful, and free from rancor, saying
he went to Daṇḍak wood to fulfill his father’s promise.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Márícha compares attempting to take Sítá from Ráma to attempting to steal
the glory of the sun.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Márícha urges Rávaṇ to summon chiefs, especially Vibhishaṇ, and to compare
his own strength with Ráma’s before deciding.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Márícha recalls that he once roamed the earth in great strength, bore an axe,
wore a crown and golden armlets, and terrified those he met.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Márícha says he fed on the flesh of slaughtered saints in Daṇḍak wood.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Viśvámitra asks Daśaratha to send Ráma to help him because Márícha causes
him dread.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Daśaratha initially says Ráma is scarcely twelve and untrained in arms, and
offers to lead an army himself.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Viśvámitra answers that Ráma alone can overthrow the fiend and that Daśaratha’s
host should remain behind.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Márícha
description: Speaker who counsels Rávaṇ; later describes himself as a formerly powerful
night-roving fiend who preyed on saints in Daṇḍak wood.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Rávaṇ
description: King or ruler of the giants/fiends, addressed by Márícha and warned
not to seek Sítá from Ráma.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Ráma
description: Son of Daśaratha and lord of Kosal; described as dutiful, virtuous,
mighty in arms, Sítá’s husband, and the one whom Viśvámitra says can defeat the
fiend.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Sítá / Janak’s daughter
description: Janak’s daughter and Ráma’s spouse, described as dear to Ráma and as
the woman Rávaṇ is warned not to take or touch.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Vibhishaṇ
description: Chief whom Márícha tells Rávaṇ to summon for counsel and debate.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Viśvámitra
description: Revered sage who asks Daśaratha to send Ráma against Márícha and insists
Ráma alone can defeat the fiend.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Daśaratha
description: King and father of Ráma; he offers his own army before Viśvámitra insists
on Ráma.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Kaikeyí
description: Queen whose art is said to have deceived Ráma’s truthful father, leading
Ráma to fulfill the promised exile.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
roles:
- id: role:1
label: wise but unwelcome counselor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Márícha states that those who urge distasteful but wise action are few, then
advises Rávaṇ to avoid conflict with Ráma.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: king warned against destructive desire
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Rávaṇ is warned that attempting to take Sítá will cost him his realm, happiness,
and life.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: righteous warrior and avenger
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Ráma is described as dutiful and virtuous, and as capable of destroying armies
and avenging the attempted seizure of Sítá.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: protected spouse and intended target
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Sítá is called Ráma’s spouse and Janak’s child, and Márícha warns Rávaṇ not
to remove her from Ráma’s protection.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: chief for counsel
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Márícha specifically names Vibhishaṇ among those Rávaṇ should summon to debate
and decide.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: former predator in Daṇḍak wood
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Márícha recalls roaming Daṇḍak wood and feeding on the flesh of slaughtered
saints.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: youth chosen to defeat a fiend
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Viśvámitra says the young Ráma alone can overthrow the fiend despite Daśaratha’s
concern about his age.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: sage requesting heroic aid
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Viśvámitra comes to Daśaratha’s court and requests Ráma’s help against Márícha.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: royal father offering protection
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Daśaratha offers to lead a complete army himself, saying Ráma is young and
untrained.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: fire of Ráma’s anger
literal_form: Ráma’s vengeful ire is described as fire, with sparks as shafts and
bow and falchion feeding the flame.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: bow and arrows as destructive safeguard
literal_form: Ráma’s bow is called the destroyer’s flaming jaw, and his shafts flash,
glow, and guard Sítá.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: mountain-like fiend
literal_form: Márícha says he once towered like a mountain’s crest.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: sable cloud appearance
literal_form: Márícha says he appeared like a vast dark cloud, with golden armlets
flashing.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: sun glory comparison
literal_form: Márícha says taking Sítá from Ráma would be less plausible than stealing
the glory of the Lord of Day.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Márícha warns Rávaṇ against taking Sítá
summary: Márícha advises Rávaṇ that taking Sítá from Ráma will bring avenging ruin
on Rávaṇ, Lanká, and the giants, and he urges Rávaṇ to deliberate with counselors.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:2
label: Márícha recalls his former predatory power
summary: Márícha describes his former imposing appearance, strength, weapons, and
violence in Daṇḍak wood, where he preyed on saints.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Viśvámitra requests the young Ráma
summary: Viśvámitra asks Daśaratha to send Ráma against Márícha. Daśaratha offers
his own army because Ráma is young, but Viśvámitra insists that Ráma alone can
defeat the fiend.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: attempted seizure of another’s beloved brings ruin
taxonomy_refs:
- stolen_beloved
basis: Márícha frames Rávaṇ’s plan as taking Ráma’s dear spouse Sítá and repeatedly
warns that the attempt will destroy Rávaṇ, Lanká, and the giants.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The excerpt is a warning before the act rather than a narrated abduction
within this passage.
- id: motif:2
label: wise counselor warns ruler against fatal action
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Márícha explicitly distinguishes pleasant speech from wise but unpleasant
counsel and urges Rávaṇ to consult chiefs, assess strength, and refrain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: No matching supplied taxonomy family is specific to counsel scenes.
- id: motif:3
label: young hero selected by sage to defeat fiend
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Viśvámitra requests the young Ráma and rejects Daśaratha’s army, saying Ráma
alone can overthrow the fiend.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage recounts this retrospectively inside Márícha’s speech and
does not narrate the defeat itself.
- id: motif:4
label: avenging hero as consuming fire
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ráma’s anger and weapons are described through fire imagery that threatens
Rávaṇ with death and destruction.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: This is primarily metaphorical imagery in the speech; it is not a literal
fire episode.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 31263-31300
quote_or_summary: Márícha begins his counsel to Rávaṇ, praises rare wise counsel,
compares Ráma’s might with Varuṇ or Indra, and warns that Sítá may bring destruction
on Rávaṇ and Lanká.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 31301-31334
quote_or_summary: Márícha describes Ráma as dutiful, virtuous, and exiled to fulfill
his father’s promise; he warns that taking Sítá is like stealing the sun’s glory
and describes Ráma’s anger and weapons with fire imagery.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 31335-31362
quote_or_summary: Márícha says Sítá is guarded by Ráma’s bow and shafts, warns Rávaṇ
that he will lose life and kingship, and urges him to consult Vibhishaṇ and other
chiefs before deciding.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 31363-31385
quote_or_summary: Márícha recounts his former strength, mountain-like stature, dark-cloud
appearance, crown, axe, and predation on saints in Daṇḍak wood.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 31386-31403
quote_or_summary: Viśvámitra asks Daśaratha to send Ráma to help against Márícha;
Daśaratha answers that Ráma is young and offers to lead a complete army himself.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 31404-31415
quote_or_summary: Viśvámitra says that by Ráma’s might alone the fiend can be overthrown
and that Daśaratha’s army should remain behind.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary generated from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied excerpt. Some line ranges are approximate
subdivisions within the provided overall locator. No comparison claims are made
beyond candidate motif labeling.
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 text and metadata. Taxonomy references are limited to supplied available references and 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__l31263-l31415
passage_sha256=c98bb8e9fcf8a7d4dc8fe59a9cd9e171de3f7bec4ebd8d3b8cb6cc9815b01f22