batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l40726-l40834
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l40726-l40834
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 40726-40834
start: '40726'
end: '40834'
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 passage describes the royal funeral preparations and obsequies for
the slain Vánar king Báli: a decorated litter is brought, Ráma orders funeral
honors, Sugríva arranges royal rites, mourners process with the body, Tárá laments
over Báli, Angad and Sugríva place the body on the pyre, the flame is lit, mourners
circle the dead, and water libations are offered to the departed shade.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A richly decorated litter or bier is brought for the funeral rites.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Ráma instructs Lakshmaṇ that Báli should be placed on the bier and honored
with funeral service.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Sugríva draws Báli’s body to the bier and orders royal obsequies suitable
for a great king.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: A funeral procession proceeds with Angad, Tára, widowed women, and other mourners
lamenting aloud.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: A funeral pile is built on a low sandy isle beside a fresh mountain stream.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Tárá lays Báli’s head in her lap and laments his death, addressing him as
king and lord.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Angad, aided by Sugríva, places Báli’s body on the pyre, lights the flame,
and circles the dead with mourners.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: The funeral party goes to the stream and offers water libations to the departed
shade, with Angad set first in place.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Ráma
description: Present beside Lakshmaṇ; orders that Báli be placed on the bier and
receive funeral service; named in Tárá’s lament as the form in which death came
to Báli.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Lakshmaṇ
description: Stands beside Ráma when Ráma gives instructions about Báli’s funeral
service.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Báli
description: The slain Vánar chief and king whose body is placed on the bier and
pyre and mourned by his household and people.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Sugríva
description: Weeps for Báli, draws his body to the bier, orders the royal obsequies,
aids Angad at the pyre, and participates in libations.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Angad
description: Báli’s son, described as little and weeping; helps lay Báli’s relics
on the bier, places the body on the pyre with Sugríva’s aid, and is set first
for the water rite.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Tárá
description: A widowed dame who comes first behind the funeral litter, laments Báli,
places his head in her lap, and joins Sugríva and the chiefs at the libations.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Tára
description: A figure who hears the words, goes into the town, and brings the prepared
funeral litter on stalwart shoulders.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Vánars and Vánar chiefs
description: The Vánar attendants and chiefs lead the procession, bear or accompany
the bier, build the funeral pile, mourn, and perform the rites.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Widowed dames
description: The widowed women follow the funeral litter behind Tárá, crying and
lamenting Báli as lord.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
roles:
- id: role:1
label: funeral-command giver
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Ráma directs that Báli be placed on the bier and receive funeral service.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: attendant witness
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Lakshmaṇ stands by Ráma when Ráma addresses him about the funeral rites.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: deceased king
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Báli is the dead Vánar chief and king for whom royal obsequies are performed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: mourning organizer of rites
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Sugríva weeps, moves the body, commands royal obsequies, aids at the pyre,
and joins the libations.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: mourning son
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Angad is described weeping for his departed sire and taking part in placing
the body and in the water rite.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:6
label: widow mourner
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:9
basis: Tárá and the widowed women follow the bier and lament the dead lord.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: litter bearer or provider
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Tára brings the prepared litter from the town on his shoulders.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:8
label: funeral attendants
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The Vánars are ordered to lead the procession, attend the bier, build the
pile, and perform rites.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: funeral litter or bier
literal_form: A car-like, jewel-hung, flower-wreathed litter with painted sides,
royal seat, lattice windows, golden birds and trees, and a saffron canopy.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: funeral pyre and flame
literal_form: A funeral pile raised on a sandy isle; the body is placed on it and
the flame is lit.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: sym:3
label: flowing stream and libation water
literal_form: A fresh mountain stream beside the funeral place; mourners shed water
as libations to the departed shade.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: sym:4
label: funeral offerings and ornaments
literal_form: Gems, vestures, wreaths, ornaments, gold, and flowers used in or around
the royal funeral rites.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: mourning circumambulation
literal_form: The mourners pass slowly around the dead after the flame is lit.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Preparation of the funeral litter
summary: Tára brings an ornate litter prepared for the rites; Ráma sees it and instructs
Lakshmaṇ that Báli should be placed on the bier with funeral service.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Royal obsequies ordered and procession begun
summary: Sugríva moves Báli’s body to the bier, orders costly royal rites, and the
procession of Vánars, Angad, Tára, Tárá, widows, and other mourners proceeds with
lamentation.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Funeral pile and Tárá’s lament
summary: The funeral pile is raised on a sandy isle by a stream; the bier is placed
on the sand, and Tárá laments over Báli with his head in her lap.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Cremation and water libations
summary: Angad and Sugríva place Báli’s body on the pyre, light the flame, circle
the dead, and afterward the funeral party offers water libations to the departed
shade.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Royal funeral procession and obsequies
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage emphasizes a decorated bier, costly rites, royal honors, a procession,
mourners, and performance of the service for the slain king.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: This is a passage-level funerary pattern rather than a named taxonomy
family in the supplied list.
- id: motif:2
label: Cremation rite with circumambulation
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Báli’s body is placed on a funeral pile, the flame is lit, and mourners pass
slowly around the dead.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage describes the actions but does not explain their doctrinal
meaning.
- id: motif:3
label: Water libation to the departed shade
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: After the cremation service, the mourners go to the stream and shed water
described as delighting the dead.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The link to sacred_exchange is inferred from the offering-like action
of libation; the passage does not use that taxonomy term.
- id: motif:4
label: Widow’s lament over the dead king
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Tárá places Báli’s head in her lap and delivers a lament addressing him as
lord and king, while widowed women cry behind the litter.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The motif is limited here to lamentation and mourning, without broader
comparison.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 40726-40746
quote_or_summary: Tára hears the words, goes into the town, and brings an ornate
funeral litter with painted sides, a royal seat, lattice windows, golden birds
and trees, jewels, flowers, and a saffron canopy.
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 40747-40750
quote_or_summary: Ráma looks at the litter and tells Lakshmaṇ to place Báli on the
bier and honor him with funeral service.
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 40751-40765
quote_or_summary: Sugríva, weeping, draws Báli’s body to the bier with Angad’s aid,
covers it with vestures, wreaths, ornaments, and gold, and orders royal obsequies
with gems and bearers.
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 40766-40776
quote_or_summary: The procession of the dead is led with Angad weeping; widowed
women follow behind the funeral litter with Tárá first, crying out in lamentation.
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 40777-40786
quote_or_summary: A funeral pile is raised on a low sandy isle beside a fresh mountain
stream; the Vánar chiefs set the litter on the sand and stand apart mourning.
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 40787-40823
quote_or_summary: Tárá sees Báli on the litter, lays his head in her lap, and laments,
addressing him as mighty Vánar, lord, king, and sovereign; she says death in Ráma’s
form has taken him away.
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 40824-40830
quote_or_summary: The Vánar women raise Tárá; Angad, aided by Sugríva, places Báli’s
body on the pyre, lights the flame, and passes slowly around the dead with mourners.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 40831-40834
quote_or_summary: The funeral train completes the rites, goes to the flowing stream,
and offers water libations to the departed shade, with Angad first and Tárá and
Sugríva present.
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 extraction relies only on the supplied public-domain passage. Literal
rites and figures are clear; taxonomy linkage is limited, with only fire, water,
and a cautious sacred_exchange association for libations.
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: |-
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not explicitly compare these rites to another text, tradition, or motif family.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l40726-l40834
passage_sha256=ccb2c6cca41532ba635b09db70f664124e740b61ad34457d56de162fbf3229a9