batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l38928-l39087
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l38928-l39087
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto V. The League. / Canto VI. The Tokens. / Canto XI. Dundubhi. / Canto
XII. The Palm Trees.; lines 38928-39087
start: '38928'
end: '39087'
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: Rama demonstrates his strength by shooting an arrow through seven palm
trees, a hill, and subterranean realms before the arrow returns to his quiver.
Sugriva accepts Rama as a powerful ally and asks him to defeat Bali. Sugriva challenges
Bali at Kishkindha, but Rama does not shoot because the brothers look alike in
battle. Sugriva flees wounded to Rishyamuka and reproaches Rama. Rama explains
that he feared killing his friend by mistake, promises to strike Bali next time,
and has Lakshman mark Sugriva with a flowering creeper garland as a token of recognition.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Rama places an arrow on his bow and shoots at a palm tree.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The arrow cleaves seven palms in a line, passes through a hill, passes through
six subterranean realms to the lowest depth, and then returns to Rama's quiver.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Sugriva prostrates himself, makes reverent obeisance, and praises Rama's power
after seeing the cloven trees.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Sugriva asks Rama to subdue and strike down Bali, whom he calls his foe and
brother.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Rama embraces Sugriva and instructs him to lead the way to Kishkindha and
challenge Bali.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Sugriva shouts at Kishkindha to call Bali out to fight.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Bali and Sugriva fight hand to hand with fists, while Rama stands nearby with
his bow ready.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Rama does not shoot because Bali and Sugriva appear alike in form, might,
dress, adornment, height, battle-shout, and splendour.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Sugriva is overcome by Bali's blows and flees wounded to Rishyamuka and sheltering
woods.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Bali does not pursue Sugriva farther because he knows of a restraining curse.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Sugriva reproaches Rama, saying that Rama impelled him to fight but did not
slay his enemy.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Rama says he withheld his arrow to avoid accidentally killing Sugriva, his
friend.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: Rama promises that within one hour Sugriva will see Rama's arrow strike Bali
through.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: Rama asks that a badge be bound on Sugriva so that friend and foe can be recognized
in battle.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:15
text: Lakshman plucks a flowering creeper from the mountain slope and winds it as
a garland around Sugriva's neck.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:16
text: Sugriva, wearing the flower garland, returns toward Kishkindha with Rama's
word in mind.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Rama
description: Raghu's son; a matchless hero and war-trained chief who demonstrates
his strength with a bow and arrow, allies with Sugriva, and withholds his shot
when he cannot distinguish the brothers.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Sugriva
description: Sovereign of the Vanars; Rama's friend and ally, Bali's brother and
foe, who asks for Rama's aid, challenges Bali, is defeated, and is marked with
a garland.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Bali
description: Sugriva's brother and foe; he comes out when challenged, defeats Sugriva
in hand-to-hand combat, and is later to be Rama's target.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Lakshman
description: Rama's companion; he follows Sugriva after the first fight and places
the flowering creeper garland around Sugriva's neck.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Hanuman
description: He is present with Rama and Lakshman and sees the conquered Sugriva
run.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Sita
description: Mentioned by Rama as depending, along with Rama and Lakshman, on Sugriva's
protection.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: heroic archer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Rama shoots the arrow that cleaves trees, hill, and subterranean realms and
returns to his quiver.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: ally and friend
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:2
basis: Sugriva identifies Rama as a friend and Rama embraces Sugriva; Rama later
says Sugriva is his friend.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: protector who avoids harming a friend
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Rama explains that he withheld his arrow because he could not distinguish
friend from foe and feared killing Sugriva.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: Vanar sovereign
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The passage calls Sugriva the sovereign or king of the Vanars.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: role:5
label: supplicant ally
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Sugriva prostrates himself and asks Rama with suppliant hands to strike Bali
down.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: marked combatant
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Lakshman winds a flower garland around Sugriva's neck so Rama can recognize
him in battle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:7
label: brother-foe
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Sugriva calls Bali his foe who bears a brother's name, and Rama refers to
the brotherly conflict.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:8
label: victorious first-round opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Bali overcomes Sugriva with mightier strokes and returns home after Sugriva
flees.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: token-giver
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Lakshman plucks the flowering creeper and places it around Sugriva's neck
as a garland.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:10
label: witness companion
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Hanuman is listed among those who see the conquered Sugriva run and follow
him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:11
label: dependent under protection
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Rama says that Lakshman, he himself, and Sita rest on Sugriva's protection.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: bow and returning arrow
literal_form: Rama's bow and the arrow that pierces trees, hill, and underworld
regions before returning to the quiver
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: seven palm trees
literal_form: seven palms in a line cleft by Rama's arrow
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: hill and subterranean realms
literal_form: the hill behind the palms and six subterranean realms through which
the arrow passes
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:4
label: flowering creeper garland token
literal_form: a flowering creeper wound around Sugriva's neck as a badge of recognition
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: sym:5
label: sheltering Rishyamuka
literal_form: Rishyamuka and sheltering woods to which Sugriva flees
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Rama's demonstration at the palm trees
summary: Rama shoots a single arrow through seven palms, a hill, and subterranean
realms; the arrow returns to his quiver, and Sugriva responds with reverence and
praise.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Alliance request and march to Kishkindha
summary: Sugriva asks Rama to defeat Bali; Rama embraces him and directs him to
lead the way to Kishkindha and challenge Bali.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: First combat of Sugriva and Bali
summary: Sugriva calls Bali out; the brothers fight hand to hand while Rama waits
with his bow, but Rama does not shoot because he cannot distinguish them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Sugriva's defeat and reproach
summary: Bali defeats Sugriva, who flees wounded to Rishyamuka; Hanuman, Lakshman,
and Rama follow, and Sugriva reproaches Rama for failing to help.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Rama's explanation and the recognition token
summary: Rama explains that he withheld his arrow to avoid killing Sugriva by mistake,
promises to strike Bali, and has Lakshman mark Sugriva with a flowering garland
before the return to Kishkindha.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: hero proves strength by impossible shot
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Rama demonstrates unrivalled strength by sending one arrow through seven
palms, a hill, and subterranean realms, after which the arrow returns to his quiver.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: This motif label is descriptive and not tied to an available taxonomy
family.
- id: motif:2
label: alliance formed through demonstrated power and supplication
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: After seeing Rama's feat, Sugriva prostrates himself, praises Rama, and asks
him as a friend to defeat Bali; Rama embraces Sugriva and proceeds with him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames the relationship as friendship and aid rather than
a formal ritual covenant.
- id: motif:3
label: hostile brothers in combat
taxonomy_refs:
- sibling_pair
basis: Sugriva asks Rama to strike down Bali, his foe who bears a brother's name,
and the two brothers fight hand to hand.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The available taxonomy term is broad; the passage emphasizes fraternal
enmity rather than cooperative sibling pairing.
- id: motif:4
label: indistinguishable combatants require a recognition token
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Rama cannot distinguish Sugriva from Bali in battle, withholds his arrow,
and later orders a badge placed on Sugriva; Lakshman marks him with a flowering
garland.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: This is a passage-level narrative pattern without a supplied taxonomy
reference.
- id: motif:5
label: tree and underworld traversed by heroic weapon
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_tree_axis
basis: The arrow passes through seven palms, a hill, six subterranean realms, and
the lowest depth before returning upward to the quiver.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: low
cautions: The passage literally links trees, earth, and subterranean realms, but
it does not explicitly identify the palms as a world axis or sacred tree.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 38928-38942
quote_or_summary: Rama strings his bow, shoots an arrow at a tree, and the arrow
cleaves seven palms, passes through a hill and six subterranean realms to the
lowest depth, then returns to his quiver.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 38943-38967
quote_or_summary: Sugriva gazes amazed at the cloven trees, prostrates himself,
praises Rama's arrow, and asks him as a friend to strike down Bali, his brother-foe.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 38968-38982
quote_or_summary: Rama embraces Sugriva; Lakshman shares the feeling; Rama instructs
Sugriva to lead them to Kishkindha and challenge Bali, and Sugriva shouts to call
Bali out.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 38983-39000
quote_or_summary: Bali comes out and fights Sugriva hand to hand; Rama stands nearby
with bow in hand but cannot tell friend from foe because the two are alike in
form and might.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 39001-39019
quote_or_summary: Bali's stronger blows overcome Sugriva, who flees wounded to Rishyamuka
and sheltering woods; Bali does not pursue because he knows a restraining curse;
Hanuman, Lakshman, and Rama follow Sugriva.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 39020-39054
quote_or_summary: Sugriva accuses Rama of deceit for urging him into a losing fight;
Rama explains that he withheld his arrow because Sugriva and Bali were indistinguishable
and he feared killing his friend. Rama also says he, Lakshman, and Sita rest on
Sugriva's protection.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 39055-39069
quote_or_summary: Rama tells Sugriva to fight again without fear, promises that
his arrow will strike Bali, and orders that a badge be bound on Sugriva so friend
and foe can be recognized.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 39070-39087
quote_or_summary: On a mountain slope, Lakshman plucks a flowering creeper and winds
it as a garland around Sugriva's neck; Sugriva, wearing the wreath, proceeds toward
Kishkindha.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summary used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: The sequence, figures, and objects are explicit in the supplied passage.
Some motif-family assignments are broad because the available taxonomy does not
include precise labels for trial shot, allied vengeance, or recognition token.
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: |-
Only the supplied passage and metadata were used; no external comparisons were added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l38928-l39087
passage_sha256=17716294ebd6dd4a4dd1e4ff496e25b849bcc22723285e1ec62111744d56fa40