batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l36293-l36417
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l36293-l36417
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 36293-36417
start: '36293'
end: '36417'
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 Rāma and Lakshmaṇ burn Kabandha’s corpse in a mountain cave, Kabandha
rises transformed from the pyre, ascends in a swan-drawn chariot, and instructs
Rāma to form an alliance with Sugrīva before the flame. He says Sugrīva will help
find Sītā, sending Vānar searchers in every direction and even to remote or underworld
places if needed.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The princely pair enter a mountain cave and tend a kindled fire.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Lakshmaṇ brings lighted brands and applies flame to a pile of logs.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The fire consumes Kabandha’s corpse and monstrous trunk.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: Kabandha rises from the pyre in spotless garments, a heavenly wreath, bright
attire, gold ornaments, and a swan-drawn chariot.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Kabandha stays his chariot in the sky and calls to Rāma from afar.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Kabandha tells Rāma he will explain the means to win his spouse again.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Kabandha says Rāma and Lakshmaṇ are in grief because Rāma’s consort has been
torn away.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: Kabandha advises Rāma to make Sugrīva his friend.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Sugrīva is described as expelled by his brother Bāli and dwelling with four
faithful chieftains on Rishyamūka hill near Pampā’s waters.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: Kabandha says Sugrīva will help Rāma in the search for Sītā.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Kabandha instructs Rāma to frame an alliance with Sugrīva before the attesting
flame and to cast weapons before the flame.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Sugrīva is said to wear all shapes, listen to suppliants, and repay kind deeds.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: Sugrīva is said to know places where man-eating beings dwell and to be able
to search rocky heights, hills, caves, lakes, and rills with his Vānars.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:14
text: Kabandha says Sugrīva will send chieftains east, west, south, and north to
seek Sītā.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:15
text: Kabandha says Sugrīva could find Sītā in Rāvaṇ’s halls, on Meru’s highest
steep, or in dark hell.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Kabandha
description: A monster whose corpse is burned; he rises transformed from the pyre
and gives counsel to Rāma.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Rāma
description: A prince addressed by Kabandha; his spouse has been torn away and he
is told to seek Sugrīva’s help.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Lakshmaṇ
description: Rāma’s companion; he brings lighted brands and helps burn Kabandha’s
corpse.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Sītā
description: Rāma’s spouse, described as torn away, sought, and lamenting desolately.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Sugrīva
description: A Vānar lord and banished prince dwelling on Rishyamūka hill, proposed
as Rāma’s ally in finding Sītā.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Bāli
description: Sugrīva’s brother, said to have expelled Sugrīva after victory and
by conquering might.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Vānars
description: Sugrīva’s people, who will search with him for Sītā.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Four faithful chieftains
description: Four great chieftains who remain with Sugrīva on Rishyamūka hill.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Rāvaṇ
description: Named in relation to halls where Sītā might be found.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: burned monster transformed after cremation
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Kabandha’s corpse is consumed by fire, after which he rises resplendent from
the pyre.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: post-transformation adviser
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: After rising, Kabandha tells Rāma how to regain Sītā and directs him to Sugrīva.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:3
label: questing bereaved husband
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Rāma is told his spouse has been torn away and is instructed how to win her
again.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: assisting brother and fire-preparer
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Lakshmaṇ brings lighted brands and is named with Rāma as suffering grief.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: lost spouse being sought
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Sītā is named as the spouse to be regained and as the lady to be found.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: exiled potential ally
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Sugrīva is described as expelled by Bāli, dwelling on Rishyamūka, and recommended
as Rāma’s friend and helper.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: expelling brother
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Bāli is described as Sugrīva’s brother who drove him out by conquering might.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: searching allies
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
basis: Sugrīva and his Vānars are said to be able to seek Sītā across many places
and directions; four chieftains remain with him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: named lord of halls where Sītā may be found
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Kabandha says Sugrīva could find Sītā even in Rāvaṇ’s halls.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: mountain cave
literal_form: A cave in a mountain where the fire is kindled and Kabandha’s body
is burned.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: cremation fire
literal_form: Kindled fire, lighted brands, flames, pyre, and attesting flame.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: swan-drawn chariot
literal_form: A bright chariot drawn by fair-winged swans, from which Kabandha speaks
in the sky.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: Rishyamūka hill
literal_form: The hill where Sugrīva dwells after expulsion.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: Pampā’s waters
literal_form: Waters flowing below Rishyamūka and near Sugrīva’s place of exile.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: four directions
literal_form: East, west, south, and north as directions for the search parties.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:7
label: Meru and dark hell as search extremes
literal_form: Meru’s highest steep and dark deep hell named as places where Sugrīva
would search for Sītā.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:8
label: gold ornaments and heavenly wreath
literal_form: Gold ornaments, bright attire, and a heavenly wreath appearing on
Kabandha after he rises from the pyre.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Cremation in the mountain cave
summary: Rāma and Lakshmaṇ enter a mountain cave, tend a fire, and burn Kabandha’s
corpse on a pile of logs.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Kabandha’s transformed rising
summary: Kabandha rises resplendent from the pyre, adorned with wreath and ornaments,
and appears in a swan-drawn chariot in the sky.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Instruction to seek Sugrīva
summary: Kabandha tells Rāma that he must make Sugrīva his friend in order to regain
Sītā.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Sugrīva’s exile and qualities
summary: Sugrīva is described as an expelled Vānar lord living on Rishyamūka near
Pampā, with faithful chieftains and many virtues.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Alliance before the flame
summary: Rāma is told to make a solemn alliance with Sugrīva before the attesting
flame, casting weapons before it.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: World-ranging search for Sītā
summary: Kabandha says Sugrīva and the Vānars will search many terrains and all
four directions, and could find Sītā in Rāvaṇ’s halls, on Meru, or in hell.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: death and transformed rising from fire
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
basis: Kabandha’s corpse is consumed by flames, after which he rises from the pyre
in purified garments and ornaments.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage shows transformation after cremation; it does not explicitly
name this as rebirth.
- id: motif:2
label: ascent in a heavenly vehicle
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
basis: After rising from the pyre, Kabandha appears high in a bright swan-drawn
chariot and speaks from the sky.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The destination of the ascent is not described in this excerpt.
- id: motif:3
label: quest for a stolen beloved
taxonomy_refs:
- stolen_beloved
basis: Kabandha says Rāma’s consort has been torn away and gives instructions for
winning her again through Sugrīva’s aid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not narrate the original abduction event; it refers to
it retrospectively.
- id: motif:4
label: alliance sealed before sacred fire
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Kabandha directs Rāma to form a solemn alliance with Sugrīva before the attesting
flame, with reciprocal aid implied.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The motif label interprets the fire-witnessed alliance as sacred exchange;
the passage’s literal terms are alliance, flame, friendship, and mutual help.
- id: motif:5
label: supernatural helper guides the quest
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: Kabandha, after rising transformed, instructs Rāma where to go and whom to
befriend in order to recover Sītā.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy has no narrower helper-guide category; the quest
element is clear, but the exact motif family is broad.
- id: motif:6
label: shape-wearing ally
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: Sugrīva is described as one who wears all shapes.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage states the attribute but does not show Sugrīva changing shape
in this excerpt.
- id: motif:7
label: brother-pair in exile and conflict
taxonomy_refs:
- sibling_pair
basis: Sugrīva and Bāli are brothers, and Bāli is said to have expelled Sugrīva
after victory.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage gives only the relationship and exile, not the full sibling-conflict
narrative.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 36293-36310
quote_or_summary: Rāma and Lakshmaṇ enter a mountain cave, tend fire, and burn Kabandha’s
corpse; Lakshmaṇ brings lighted brands and the flames consume the monstrous trunk.
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 36311-36324
quote_or_summary: Kabandha rises from the pyre spotless and resplendent, adorned
with wreath and gold ornaments, and appears in a bright swan-drawn chariot in
the sky.
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 36325-36342
quote_or_summary: Kabandha calls to Rāma and says he will explain how to win his
spouse again; he says Rāma and Lakshmaṇ grieve because the consort was torn away,
and advises making a friend.
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 36343-36360
quote_or_summary: Kabandha names Sugrīva, says Bāli expelled him, and locates him
with four faithful chieftains on Rishyamūka hill near Pampā’s waters; Sugrīva
is praised as a just and capable Vānar lord.
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 36361-36384
quote_or_summary: Kabandha says Sugrīva will help Rāma search for Sītā; he urges
Rāma to go at once, make Sugrīva his friend, and form a solemn alliance before
the attesting flame; Sugrīva is said to wear all shapes and help those who seek
aid.
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 36385-36405
quote_or_summary: Kabandha again directs Rāma to seek Sugrīva on Rishyamūka, cast
weapons before the flame, and rely on Sugrīva’s knowledge of places, including
rocky heights, hills, caves, lakes, and rills.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 36406-36417
quote_or_summary: Kabandha says Sugrīva will send chieftains east, west, south,
and north; he could find Sītā in Rāvaṇ’s halls, on Meru’s highest steep, or in
dark hell, and restore her.
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: uncertain
notes: The passage is clear for figures, scenes, fire imagery, transformation, alliance,
and search motifs. Motif-family assignment is interpretive where taxonomy categories
are broad. No external comparison claims were made.
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. Taxonomy references were limited to the provided motif families and symbol list.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l36293-l36417
passage_sha256=eabb7cc2dbfa9f076ff08e44f86b36914aab27e8c297c79177ae7e8cf72fd13d