batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l36168-l36290
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l36168-l36290
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto XLVI. The Guest. / Canto LI. The Combat. / Canto LX. Lakshman Reproved.
/ Canto LXX. Kabandha.; lines 36168-36290
start: '36168'
end: '36290'
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: Danu, also presented as Kabandha in the canto heading, explains that a
curse and Indra's blow left him in a monstrous body with long arms and a mouth
in his chest. He says that Rama cutting off his arms and burning his body will
release him and restore his former shape. Rama asks, in return for performing
the funeral rite, for knowledge about Ravana, who abducted his wife. Danu says
his cursed state prevents full knowledge until the burning is complete, but then
he will direct Rama to one who knows the abductor and can become a faithful ally.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Danu says that his release requires Rama to cut away his arms and lay his
body on a pyre, after which he will regain his own fair shape.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Danu identifies himself and says he wears a terrifying form because of Indra's
curse after a fight.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Danu says Indra's bolt compressed his head and thighs into his chest.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Danu says Indra gave him arms a league in length and opened a mouth with fearful
teeth in his chest.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Danu says he used his huge arms to seize forest creatures and feed on animals
including lion, tiger, pard, and deer.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Danu says Indra foretold that when Rama and his brother cut off his arms,
the skies would receive his soul.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Danu offers counsel and friendly aid if Rama burns his corpse with fire.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Rama says Ravana carried away his glorious wife when she was alone, and that
he and Lakshman do not yet know the abductor's dwelling or power.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Rama proposes to gather dry boughs, dig a pit, light a fire, and burn Danu
according to funeral law.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Danu says he cannot presently identify the abductor because his cursed condition
makes his knowledge small and faint.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Danu says that after his corpse is placed in the grave and honored with fire,
he will name one who knows the giant robber well.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: Danu advises Rama to form a trusting alliance with a future helper whose searching
eyes see the triple world.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Danu / Kabandha
description: A being cursed into a terrifying body with long arms and a chest-mouth,
seeking release through Rama's action and funeral burning.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Rama
description: The warrior who can cut away Danu's arms, perform the funeral rite,
and seeks knowledge about his abducted wife.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Lakshman
description: Rama's brother, present while Danu speaks and included in the prophecy
that Rama and his brother will cut off Danu's arms.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Indra / Sakra
description: The divine figure who defeats Danu, strikes him with a bolt, alters
his body, and foretells the condition of his release.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Ravana
description: The named being who came when Rama's wife was alone and carried her
away; his power and dwelling remain unknown to Rama in this passage.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Rama's Maithil spouse
description: Rama's wife, described as his glorious dame and Maithil spouse, who
was borne away by Ravana.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Unnamed knowledgeable future ally
description: A person whom Danu says knows the giant robber well and should be joined
in a trusting alliance; his eyes uncover the triple world.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: cursed being seeking release
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Danu says he wears an abhorrent form because of a curse and asks for the
rite that will release him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: role:2
label: monster who seizes and eats forest animals
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Danu describes using huge arms to catch woodland creatures and feed on them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: foretold liberators
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
basis: Indra says Rama and his brother will cleave Danu's arms, enabling his soul's
release.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: divine punisher and conditional benefactor
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Indra strikes and transforms Danu but also gives arms and states the condition
for release.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: abductor
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Rama says Ravana came and carried away his wife.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: counsel-giver after funeral aid
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Danu offers counsel and says he will name one who knows the robber after
his funeral burning.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: seeker of abducted spouse
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Rama asks for knowledge of who stole his spouse and where the abductor lives.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: abducted spouse
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The passage describes Rama's wife as having been borne away when alone.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: future ally and knower
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Danu says this person knows the giant robber well and should be joined in
trusting love.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: funeral fire
literal_form: Fire used to burn Danu's corpse and complete the funeral rite.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:2
label: pit or grave
literal_form: A pit or grave in which Danu's body is to be laid before burning.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:3
label: league-long arms
literal_form: Arms each a league in length, used by Danu to seize passing forest
creatures.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: mouth in the chest
literal_form: A mouth with fearful teeth opened in Danu's chest.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: flaming bolt
literal_form: Indra's flaming bolt with many knots that compresses Danu's head and
thighs into his chest.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Danu recounts curse and bodily transformation
summary: Danu explains that pride led him to challenge Indra, whose bolt deformed
him and whose later act gave him long arms and a chest-mouth.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:2
label: Prophecy of release through Rama and Lakshman
summary: 'Danu reports the conditions of release: Rama and his brother will cut
off his arms, his body will be burned, and his soul or form will be restored.'
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Rama requests knowledge in exchange for funeral rites
summary: Rama describes Ravana's abduction of his wife and asks Danu to identify
the abductor and his dwelling in return for the funeral service.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Danu promises post-funeral counsel and directs Rama toward an ally
summary: Danu says his knowledge is obscured until the flames consume his corpse,
after which he will identify one who knows the robber and should become Rama's
friend.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Cursed monstrous form released by hero and funeral fire
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
basis: Danu's monstrous condition ends only when Rama cuts off his arms and burns
his body, after which Danu will regain his fair shape and the skies receive his
soul.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents restoration and soul-release, not a full return to
ordinary embodied life in the same form.
- id: motif:2
label: Abducted beloved as quest impetus
taxonomy_refs:
- stolen_beloved
basis: Rama states that Ravana carried away his wife, and his request for information
about the abductor directs the action of the passage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives only the aftermath of the abduction, not the abduction
scene itself.
- id: motif:3
label: Ritual service exchanged for hidden knowledge
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Danu offers counsel if Rama burns his corpse, and Rama asks that funeral
rites be repaid with information about the abductor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The exchange is framed as funeral obligation and gratitude rather than
a formal contract.
- id: motif:4
label: Quest aid through alliance with far-seeing helper
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: Danu directs Rama toward a future ally who knows the giant robber and whose
eyes uncover the triple world.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The helper is unnamed in this passage and appears only as counsel for
future action.
- id: motif:5
label: Cursed transformation and restoration of shape
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: Danu wears a terrifying form because of a curse and expects to assume his
own fair shape after the required acts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:7
confidence: low
cautions: The transformation is imposed by curse, not voluntary shapeshifting; the
taxonomy fit is limited.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: lines 36168-36175
quote_or_summary: "“Let Ráma cleave thine arms away / And on the pyre thy body lay,”
after which Danu will regain his fair shape."
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used for evidence.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 36176-36196
quote_or_summary: Danu identifies himself, says Indra's curse made him terrifying,
and recounts how Indra's flaming bolt compressed his head and thighs into his
chest.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 36197-36210
quote_or_summary: Indra gives Danu arms a league long and a toothed mouth in his
chest; Danu uses the arms to seize and eat forest animals.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 36211-36224
quote_or_summary: Indra foretells that Rama and his brother will cut off Danu's
arms, allowing his soul to be received by the skies; Danu has waited for this
event.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 36225-36235
quote_or_summary: Danu asks to lend counsel and aid if Rama will burn his corpse
with fire.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 36236-36254
quote_or_summary: Rama says he and Lakshman strayed from Janasthan, Ravana carried
away his wife, and they do not know the abductor's power or dwelling; he offers
to gather wood, dig a pit, light the fire, and asks for information in return.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 36255-36278
quote_or_summary: Danu says his cursed state makes his knowledge faint, but once
his corpse is placed in the grave and honored with fire, he will name one who
knows the giant robber well.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 36279-36290
quote_or_summary: Danu advises Rama to unite in trusting love with a future faithful
friend whose searching eyes uncover the triple world.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Core narrative elements are explicit in the supplied passage. Motif labels
are candidates based only on the passage and available taxonomy; the shapeshifter
label is especially limited because the change is cursed and involuntary. No comparison
claims are made because the passage itself does not provide comparative evidence.
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. The heading names Kabandha, while the passage body identifies the speaker as Danu; the figure label preserves both without adding external identification.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l36168-l36290
passage_sha256=506ec6ba04beb8b83666543c58cefa29f6a38a1f398dd3c7f32792e28fca6962