batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l39929-l40087
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l39929-l40087
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto VI. The Tokens. / Canto XI. Dundubhi. / Canto XII. The Palm Trees.
/ Canto XIV. The Challenge.; lines 39929-40087
start: '39929'
end: '40087'
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: The dying Vánar king Báli accepts Ráma’s justification, asks forgiveness,
and entrusts Angad, Tárá, and Sugríva to Ráma’s care. Ráma consoles him by explaining
that lawful punishment removes sin and that Angad will be protected. Tárá hears
of Báli’s fall, comes with Angad, questions the fleeing Vánars, hears their fears
and their proposal that Angad be anointed king, and resolves to go to Báli’s victor
rather than care for wealth, rule, or her own life.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Báli confesses the claims of law, accepts Ráma’s words as true, asks forgiveness
for his taunts, and says Ráma has rightly punished sin.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Báli says he grieves especially for his son Angad and asks Ráma to spare and
care for him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Báli asks that Angad and Sugríva be treated as Ráma thinks fit and that Tárá
not be condemned for Báli’s offence.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Ráma says that those who justly slay or are justly slain will have bliss in
the life to come, and that Báli has been purified by paying the penalty for wrongdoing.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Ráma promises that Angad will receive his tender love and Sugríva’s care.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Báli lies on the ground, battered and bruised by tree and stone and overthrown
by Ráma’s arrow, gasping his life away.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Tárá hears that a shaft from Ráma’s bow has laid Báli low and leaves her home
with Angad beside her.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The Vánars see Ráma armed with a bow, become afraid, and flee like helpless
deer whose leaders have been slain.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The Vánars tell Tárá to turn back and save Angad, saying Ráma stands in death’s
disguise and Báli faints and dies.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: The Vánars propose that Angad be anointed king and warn that foes may enter
the city if action is not taken.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Tárá says she has no concern for wealth, son, kingdom, or self while Báli
bleeds, and says she will meet his victor and prostrate herself at his feet.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Báli
description: Vánar king, wounded by Ráma’s arrow, who confesses wrongdoing, speaks
dying requests, and lies gasping on the ground.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Ráma
description: Lord of Raghu’s race, bow-armed victor of Báli, who justifies punishment,
consoles Báli, and promises care for Angad.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Angad
description: Báli’s beloved only son, present beside Tárá and proposed by the Vánars
as a possible king.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Tárá
description: Báli’s wife, mother of Angad, who hears of Báli’s fall, approaches
the battlefield, questions the Vánars, and resolves to meet the victor.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Sugríva
description: Báli’s brother and rival, mentioned in Báli’s request as one who should
treat Tárá properly and care for Angad under Ráma’s guidance.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Vánar retinue
description: Vánars attending the royal house and Angad who flee after seeing Ráma
and advise Tárá to save Angad and arrange kingship.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: dying defeated king and confessed offender
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Báli accepts Ráma’s legal rebuke, asks pardon, and is shown dying from Ráma’s
arrow.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: role:2
label: victor, judge, and protector
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Ráma is credited with imposing the penalty on sin and promises protection
for Angad.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: beloved son and potential heir
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Báli calls Angad his only dear son, and the Vánars suggest that Angad be
anointed king.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: grieving wife and mother
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Tárá hears of Báli’s fall, comes with Angad, and declares indifference to
wealth, son, kingdom, and self while her lord bleeds.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:5
label: brother, rival, and proposed caretaker
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Báli refers to fighting his brother and asks that Sugríva and Angad be dealt
with under Ráma’s guidance; Ráma names Sugríva’s care for Angad.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: fearful royal attendants and political advisers
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The Vánars flee in fear, then advise Tárá to save Angad and consider his
anointing as king.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: arrow or shaft from Ráma’s bow
literal_form: A shaft from Ráma’s bow that lays Báli low and leaves him dying.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:2
label: joined palms
literal_form: Báli applies palm to palm reverently while addressing Ráma.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: anointing as king
literal_form: The Vánars propose that Angad be anointed king in Báli’s place.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: trees and stones as battle weapons
literal_form: Báli is described as battered and bruised by tree and stone; the Vánars
recall uprooted trees and rocks cast in battle.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: prostration at the victor’s feet
literal_form: Tárá says she will throw herself prostrate at the feet of Báli’s high-souled
victor.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Báli’s confession and dying requests
summary: Báli accepts Ráma’s rebuke, asks pardon, grieves for Angad, and requests
protection for Angad, Tárá, and Sugríva.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Ráma’s consolation and doctrine of lawful penalty
summary: Ráma tells Báli not to grieve, explains that just punishment fulfills duty
and removes sin, and promises care for Angad.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Báli dying on the battlefield
summary: Báli lies on the ground, injured by tree, stone, and Ráma’s arrow, and
gasps away his life.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Tárá approaches and the Vánars flee
summary: Tárá hears of Báli’s fall, comes with Angad, and sees the Vánars fleeing
in fear from bow-armed Ráma.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Vánar counsel about Angad’s kingship
summary: The Vánars urge Tárá to save Angad, describe Báli’s defeat, propose Angad’s
anointing, and warn of hostile entry into the city.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Tárá’s resolve to meet the victor
summary: Tárá rejects concern for wealth, son, kingdom, and self, and resolves to
meet Báli’s victor by prostrating at his feet.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: lawful punishment as expiation
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Ráma’s speech states that just slaying and just death fulfill duty, that
Báli has paid a forfeit, and that his sins are cast aside.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames the act mainly as law, duty, and royal justice; it
does not explicitly state a divine tribunal in this excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: dying ruler entrusts son and household to victor
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Báli asks Ráma to spare Angad, treat Angad and Sugríva as proper, and protect
Tárá from punishment for Báli’s offence.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: This is a passage-level narrative pattern, not linked to a supplied taxonomy
family.
- id: motif:3
label: contested succession after the fall of a king
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: The Vánars urge that Angad be anointed king in Báli’s place and fear that
enemies may enter the royal dwelling.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage reports a proposal from frightened attendants, not the completed
enthronement.
- id: motif:4
label: grieving widow renounces wealth and kingdom
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Tárá declares that wealth, son, kingdom, and self do not matter while Báli
bleeds, and she will meet his victor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: No broader comparative taxonomy reference is assigned from the supplied
list.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 39929-39952
quote_or_summary: Báli confesses the sovereign claims of law, asks Ráma to forgive
his angry taunts, and says Ráma rightly lays penalty on sin.
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 39957-39989
quote_or_summary: Báli says he grieves for Angad, asks Ráma to spare him, asks proper
treatment for Angad and Sugríva, and asks that Tárá not be condemned for Báli’s
offence.
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 39990-40012
quote_or_summary: Ráma says just slayer and justly slain gain future bliss; Báli
is purified by the forfeit paid; Angad will receive Ráma’s love and Sugríva’s
care.
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 40016-40023
quote_or_summary: Báli gives no answer, lies battered by tree and stone and overthrown
by Ráma’s arrow, fainting on the ground and gasping his life away.
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 40024-40045
quote_or_summary: Tárá hears that a shaft from Ráma’s bow has laid Báli low, leaves
home with Angad, and sees Vánars flee in fear from bow-armed Ráma.
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 40051-40078
quote_or_summary: The Vánars urge Tárá to turn back and save Angad, describe Ráma
as death’s disguise and Báli as dying, recall trees and rocks in battle, suggest
Angad be anointed king, and warn of foes entering the city.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: quote
locator: lines 40079-40087
quote_or_summary: "“Nay, what have I to do with pelf, / With son, with kingdom,
or with self,” and she says she will meet the victor and prostrate herself at
his feet."
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: The narrative actions and speakers are clear in the supplied passage. Motif
taxonomy mapping is cautious because several patterns are passage-level and only
one supplied motif family closely fits legal expiation and succession.
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. No comparison claims were added because the excerpt itself does not support a cross-tradition or corpus comparison.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l39929-l40087
passage_sha256=028e3a1900cb5ed96b804f61db4b8dc184f56ea43fadbb8f7692bfc57a341121