batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l38276-l38433
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l38276-l38433
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto LXX. Kabandha. / BOOK IV. / Canto V. The League. / Canto VI. The Tokens.;
lines 38276-38433
start: '38276'
end: '38433'
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: Sugriva tells Rama that Bali deprived him of kingdom, wife, and friends
and seeks his death. Rama asks Sugriva to explain the origin of the fraternal
conflict so he may judge the enemy's strength and restore Sugriva's former state.
Sugriva recounts that Bali was made Vanar king after their father's death; later
the demon Mayavi challenged Bali at night and fled into a grass-covered cave.
Bali entered the cave after making Sugriva wait at its mouth. After a year, Sugriva
heard demonic roaring and saw frothy blood issue from the cave, concluded Bali
was dead, sealed the cave with a great rock, performed rites, and returned to
Kishkindha, where the lords made him king. Bali returned after killing the demon,
became enraged at finding Sugriva on the throne, killed the lords who crowned
him, and refused Sugriva's humble attempts at reconciliation.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Sugriva says Bali oppressed him, dispossessed him of power and kingship, took
his consort, imprisoned friends, and sought to kill him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Sugriva identifies Hanuman and a small faithful band as the remaining friends
who protect and accompany him.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Rama asks Sugriva to recount the source of the hatred between the brothers
so that he can assess the enemy and restore Sugriva's former state.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: After their father's death, Bali, as eldest son, was named king by the lords,
and Sugriva served his rule faithfully.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: The demon Mayavi came to the gates of Kishkindha at night and challenged Bali
to fight.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Mayavi fled into a grass-covered cave, and Bali ordered Sugriva to stay at
the mouth while Bali entered the dark recess.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Sugriva waited at the cave mouth for a year, then saw frothy blood emerge
and heard demons roaring, but heard no victorious shout from Bali.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: Believing Bali dead, Sugriva sealed the cave with a large rock, offered rites
to Bali's shade, and returned to Kishkindha.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: When Bali returned alive after killing the demon, he found Sugriva ruling,
became enraged, killed the lords who had crowned Sugriva, and rejected Sugriva's
submission.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Sugriva
description: A Vanar prince who says he was dispossessed by his brother Bali and
later tells Rama the cause of their conflict.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:4
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Bali
description: Sugriva's elder brother, first made king of the Vanars; he enters the
cave in pursuit of Mayavi and later returns alive and enraged.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Rama
description: Prince addressed by Sugriva; he asks to hear the cause of the feud
and speaks of restoring Sugriva's former state.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Hanuman
description: Named by Sugriva as one of the friends left to him.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Sugriva's faithful band
description: A band of companions who guard their lord, rest when he rests, and
go where he goes.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Mayavi
description: A demon who challenged Bali at night and fled into a cave.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Vanar lords
description: Lords who made Bali king after his father's death and later placed
Sugriva on Bali's throne when Bali was believed dead.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:9
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Bali's wives
description: Wives who tried, with Sugriva, to detain Bali from the fight with Mayavi.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Sugriva's consort
description: Sugriva says Bali tore away the consort dearer than his life.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
roles:
- id: role:1
label: dispossessed exile
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Sugriva says he lost kingship, royal state, consort, and friends through
Bali's oppression.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: oppressing elder brother
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Bali is described by Sugriva as brother, conqueror, and deadly foe who deprived
him of rule and kinship goods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: ally and prospective restorer
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Rama asks for the feud's cause so he may weigh the enemy and restore Sugriva's
former state.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: loyal protectors
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:5
basis: Hanuman and the band are named as Sugriva's remaining friends who guard and
accompany him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: combatant enemy
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:6
basis: Mayavi challenges Bali; Bali pursues Mayavi into the cave to fight him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: interim king
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: After believing Bali dead, Sugriva returns to Kishkindha and is placed on
Bali's throne by the lords.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:7
label: king-makers
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The lords first name Bali king and later place Sugriva on the throne.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:9
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: cave
literal_form: A mighty grass-covered cave with dark recesses into which Mayavi flees
and Bali enters.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: sym:2
label: frothy blood from cave
literal_form: A flood or stream of froth and blood rolls from the cavern while demonic
roaring is heard.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:3
label: sealing rock
literal_form: A block of shattered rock, huge as a hill, used by Sugriva to close
the cavern.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:4
label: throne
literal_form: Bali's throne in Kishkindha, on which Sugriva is placed when Bali
is believed dead.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: sym:5
label: bow and arrow
literal_form: Rama refers to stringing his bow and letting his arrow fly against
Sugriva's foe.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Sugriva describes his losses under Bali
summary: Sugriva tells Rama that Bali deprived him of rule, consort, and friends,
and that only Hanuman and a faithful band remain with him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:9
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Rama asks for the origin of the feud
summary: Rama asks Sugriva to explain the source of the brothers' strife so he may
judge the adversary and restore Sugriva's former condition.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Bali's original kingship
summary: Sugriva recounts that after their father's death Bali, the elder son, was
chosen king, while Sugriva served him loyally.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Mayavi's challenge and cave pursuit
summary: Mayavi challenges Bali at night, flees when pursued, and enters a grass-covered
cave; Bali commands Sugriva to wait outside while he goes in.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Sugriva waits, sees blood, and seals the cave
summary: After waiting a year, Sugriva sees frothy blood and hears demons, assumes
Bali has died, closes the cave with a huge rock, performs offerings, and returns
to Kishkindha.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Bali returns and rejects Sugriva
summary: Bali returns after killing the demon, finds Sugriva ruling, kills the lords
who crowned him, and refuses Sugriva's humble submission.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: stolen beloved
taxonomy_refs:
- stolen_beloved
basis: Sugriva says Bali tore away his consort, who was dearer than life to him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage states the loss but does not narrate the taking in detail.
- id: motif:2
label: royal dispossession and restoration sought
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
- return
basis: Sugriva describes being deprived of kingship, and Rama speaks of restoring
the state Sugriva had before.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: Restoration is promised or intended in this passage, not yet accomplished.
- id: motif:3
label: brotherly rivalry over kingship
taxonomy_refs:
- sibling_pair
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Sugriva and Bali are brothers; Bali is the elder king, Sugriva later occupies
the throne when Bali is presumed dead, and Bali returns hostile.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The passage frames the rivalry through Sugriva's account only.
- id: motif:4
label: cave ordeal and apparent death
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
- hero_descent
basis: Bali enters a dark cave to fight Mayavi; Sugriva waits outside and infers
Bali's death from blood and demonic sounds.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not describe Bali's experience inside the cave directly,
so 'descent' is inferred only from the entry into the cave.
- id: motif:5
label: mistaken death and return of the absent ruler
taxonomy_refs:
- return
basis: Sugriva believes Bali dead, performs rites, and is enthroned; Bali later
returns alive after killing the demon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The return creates conflict rather than reconciliation in this passage.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 38276-38312, Sugriva's complaint
quote_or_summary: Sugriva says Bali oppressed him, dispossessed him of kingship,
took his consort, chained friends, and seeks his death.
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 38276-38312, Sugriva's remaining allies
quote_or_summary: Sugriva says Hanuman and a faithful band are his only remaining
friends and guard him in his wandering.
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 38313-38333, Rama's reply
quote_or_summary: Rama asks Sugriva to tell the cause of the fraternal hatred so
he can weigh the foe's strength and restore Sugriva's former state; he mentions
his bow and arrow against the enemy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: Canto IX, opening of Sugriva's story
quote_or_summary: Sugriva says Bali, as the eldest son, was made king by the lords
after their father's death, and Sugriva served his government faithfully.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: Canto IX, Mayavi's challenge
quote_or_summary: Mayavi, a demon, comes to Kishkindha's gates at night and challenges
Bali; Sugriva and Bali's wives try to stop Bali from going to the fight.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: Canto IX, pursuit to the cave
quote_or_summary: Mayavi flees, Bali and Sugriva pursue him by moonlight, and Mayavi
enters a grass-covered cave; Bali tells Sugriva to remain at the cavern mouth
while he explores the dark recess.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: Canto IX, Sugriva's vigil
quote_or_summary: Sugriva waits at the cave mouth for a year, then sees a stream
of froth and blood and hears demons roaring, while hearing no victorious shout
from Bali.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: Canto IX, sealing the cavern and return
quote_or_summary: Believing Bali slain, Sugriva closes the cave with a huge rock,
gives offerings to Bali's shade, and returns to Kishkindha, where the lords eventually
place him on Bali's throne.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: Canto IX, Bali's return
quote_or_summary: Bali returns after killing the demon, sees Sugriva ruling in his
place, grows enraged, kills the lords who made Sugriva king, and rejects Sugriva's
humble reconciliation.
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: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif labels use available
taxonomy where directly supported; comparison claims are omitted because the passage
does not itself compare traditions or motif families.
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: |-
Line subranges in evidence are descriptive within the supplied canonical range rather than independently verified against the repository file.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l38276-l38433
passage_sha256=4c761238948e819a57f7b489c38c34212c0c498d4feab197562b09020c6758b9