batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l35564-l35737
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l35564-l35737
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto XLIII. The Wondrous Deer. / Canto XLVI. The Guest. / Canto LI. The
Combat. / Canto LX. Lakshman Reproved.; lines 35564-35737
start: '35564'
end: '35737'
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: Lakshman urges Rama to search Janasthan's hills, caves, and forests. Rama
finds the bloodied, dying vulture Jatayus and first suspects him of harming Sita.
Jatayus tells Rama that Ravana abducted Sita, that he fought Ravana and damaged
his chariot, but Ravana cut his wings and carried Sita away through the air. Rama
and Lakshman mourn Jatayus. Jatayus further says Ravana used magic with wind,
cloud, and shade, flew south with Sita, and foretells that Rama will recover her
and slay Ravana.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Lakshman proposes that he and Rama search Janasthan again, including caverns,
hills, caves, grottoes, rocks, and precipices where giant foes, animals, Gandharvas,
and Kinnars are associated with the landscape.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Rama places an arrow on his string and roams the forest with Lakshman.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Rama sees Jatayus lying on the ground, stained with blood, and described as
huge and foremost among birds.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Rama initially says the vulture may have preyed on Sita or may be a demon
in bird disguise, and he threatens to shoot him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The dying Jatayus speaks to Rama and says that Ravana took Sita and also took
Jatayus's life.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Jatayus says Rama and Lakshman had gone away and left Sita undefended when
Ravana carried her off.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Jatayus says he tried to aid Sita, broke Ravana's car and royal shade, threw
Ravana down, and beat down Ravana's driver.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Jatayus says Ravana cut his weary wings with a sword and then lifted Sita
and carried her through the air.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Rama lays down his bow, embraces Jatayus, falls to the earth, and he and Lakshman
weep over the bird.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: 'Rama describes his losses: exile from power, the loss of his spouse, and
the impending death of the bird loved and honored by his father.'
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Rama asks Jatayus to tell the fate of Sita, Ravana's reason for stealing her,
Ravana's strength, form, and dwelling place.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Jatayus says Ravana, king of the giant race, stole Sita and called on magic
art with wind, cloud, and gloomy shade.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: Jatayus says Ravana flew to the southern region with Sita.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: Jatayus says the hour chosen by the thief brings woes to the thief and that
those robbed at such a time regain their plundered wealth.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:15
text: Jatayus foretells that Rama will slay Ravana in battle and regain delight
with Sita.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Rama
description: Daśaratha's son; searches for Sita, first threatens Jatayus, then mourns
and questions him.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Lakshman
description: Rama's brother and companion, described as prudent and faithful; urges
renewed search and accompanies Rama.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Jatayus
description: A royal vulture, bloodied and dying after fighting Ravana in defense
of Sita.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Sita
description: Rama's spouse, described as abducted by Ravana and carried away through
the air.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Ravana
description: King of the giant race; abducts Sita, wounds Jatayus, uses magic, and
flies south with Sita.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Gandharvas
description: Beings said to love dwelling in the searched region's hills and dells.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Kinnars
description: Beings said to dwell in each bosky dell of the searched region.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
roles:
- id: role:1
label: bereaved seeker
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Rama searches for his spouse and laments her loss.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:2
label: search companion
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Lakshman urges renewed searching and accompanies Rama through the forest.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: dying witness
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Jatayus, mortally wounded, tells Rama what happened to Sita.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: defender of the abducted woman
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Jatayus says he hurried to aid Sita and fought Ravana.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: avenger-to-be
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Jatayus foretells that Rama will slay Ravana in battle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: abducted spouse
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Sita is described as Rama's spouse and as stolen or carried away by Ravana.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: abductor
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Ravana is repeatedly identified as the one who stole Sita and carried her
away.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: cave-filled wilderness
literal_form: caverns, hills, caves, grottoes, rocks, precipices, and forest growth
in Janasthan
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: bloodied vulture body
literal_form: Jatayus lying on the ground with blood, froth, and mangled wings
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: sym:3
label: broken battle equipment
literal_form: Ravana's broken bow, arrows, fragments of his battle car, royal shade,
and wounded driver
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: aerial abduction
literal_form: Ravana lifting Sita and carrying her captive through the fields of
air toward the southern region
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: magical concealment
literal_form: magic art with wind, cloud, and gloomy shade
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Renewed search through Janasthan
summary: Lakshman encourages Rama to search Janasthan's caves, hills, and forested
places despite danger and sorrow.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Discovery and mistaken threat
summary: Rama finds Jatayus bloodied on the ground, suspects him of devouring Sita
or being a demon in bird form, and prepares to shoot him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Jatayus recounts the abduction and combat
summary: Jatayus reports that Ravana abducted Sita after Rama and Lakshman left,
that he fought Ravana and damaged his chariot, but Ravana cut his wings and escaped
through the air with Sita.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Mourning of Jatayus
summary: Rama embraces and mourns the dying vulture, and both brothers weep over
him with affection like that owed to a father.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Final report and prophecy
summary: Rama questions Jatayus about Sita and Ravana; Jatayus says Ravana used
magic, flew south, and will soon be slain by Rama, who will regain Sita.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: stolen beloved
taxonomy_refs:
- stolen_beloved
basis: Sita, Rama's spouse, is said to have been stolen by Ravana and carried away
through the air; Rama seeks her and is told he will recover her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives the report of the abduction and prophecy of recovery,
not the original abduction scene itself.
- id: motif:2
label: loyal defender dies while protecting abducted woman
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: Jatayus fights Ravana for Sita's sake, is mortally wounded, and gives Rama
information before dying.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames Jatayus's death as noble and faithful, but it is a
combat death rather than a formal ritual sacrifice.
- id: motif:3
label: magical abductor with concealment
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: Rama first suspects a demon in bird disguise, and Jatayus says Ravana used
magic art with wind, cloud, and gloomy shade during the abduction.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
confidence: low
cautions: The passage does not directly state that Ravana changes shape here; the
disguise language is Rama's mistaken suspicion about Jatayus.
- id: motif:4
label: prophecy of recovery and vengeance
taxonomy_refs:
- return
basis: Jatayus says the stolen goods will be regained, that Ravana will soon meet
his fate, and that Rama will slay him and be reunited with Sita.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage predicts return and recovery but does not yet narrate the
return itself.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: 'The passage supports comparison with a stolen-beloved motif family: a spouse
is abducted by a powerful antagonist, the bereaved hero seeks her, and recovery
is foretold.'
claim_level: same_motif
target: stolen_beloved
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: This is an internal motif-family classification based only on the supplied
passage, not evidence of historical contact or wider cross-cultural relationship.
- id: claim:2
claim: Jatayus's role can be cautiously compared to a self-sacrificial defender
pattern, since he fights the abductor and dies while defending Sita.
claim_level: same_function
target: sacrifice / loyal defender dies in protection of another
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The text describes heroic defense and death, not a ritual offering;
the taxonomy label 'sacrifice' is therefore approximate.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 35564-35583
quote_or_summary: Lakshman urges Rama to search Janasthan again, a region of giant
foes, caverns, hills, caves, grottoes, and precipices, with Gandharvas and Kinnars
dwelling there.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 35584-35595
quote_or_summary: Rama sets an arrow on his string, roams the forest with Lakshman,
and sees the blood-stained Jatayus lying on the ground, huge as a mountain's shattered
crest.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 35596-35605
quote_or_summary: Rama says the signs suggest Sita was the vulture's prey or that
a demon in bird disguise is present, and threatens to pierce the creature with
arrows.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 35606-35637
quote_or_summary: The dying Jatayus tells Rama that Ravana seized Sita after Rama
and Lakshman left; Jatayus fought, broke Ravana's car and bow, beat down the driver,
but Ravana cut his wings and carried Sita away through the air.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 35638-35675
quote_or_summary: Rama hears Jatayus's report, lays down his bow, embraces the bird,
falls and weeps with Lakshman, laments Sita's loss, exile, and the dying bird
loved by his father.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 35676-35710
quote_or_summary: Rama addresses Lakshman about Jatayus's faithful fight and asks
Jatayus to tell Sita's fate, Ravana's reason, strength, form, and dwelling place.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 35711-35737
quote_or_summary: Jatayus says Ravana, king of giants, stole Sita, used magic with
wind, cloud, and shade, cut Jatayus's wings, flew south with Sita, and will soon
be slain by Rama, who will regain Sita.
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: medium
notes: Literal extraction is strong because the passage explicitly reports the abduction,
combat, mourning, and prophecy. Some motif labels beyond stolen_beloved are approximate
and need review.
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: |-
The supplied passage locator label appears to list earlier canto titles, while the passage itself includes material headed 'Canto LXIX. The Death Of Jatáyus.' Extraction follows the supplied passage text only.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l35564-l35737
passage_sha256=efc93df80b016d0aa264ccf562625e1eb495660e027a59e59cf9c7f989c015eb