batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l42772-l42919
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l42772-l42919
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto XXXI. The Envoy. / Canto XXXVII. The Gathering. / Canto XL. The Army
Of The East. / Canto XLI. The Army Of The South.; lines 42772-42919
start: '42772'
end: '42919'
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: A commander gathers a southern search party led by Angad and including
Nila, Jambavan, Hanuman, and other Vanars. He gives a detailed itinerary through
southern lands, rivers, caves, mountains, islands, serpent realms, guarded sandal
trees, and the boundary near Yama's dark realm, instructing them to search for
the Maithil queen and return. The one who finds her will receive great reward
and kinship-like favor.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A chosen band is gathered for service in the southern land and sent to explore
toward the southern coast.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Nila, Jambavan, Hanuman, Angad, and other valiant lords are named among the
search party, with Angad as chief and guide.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The search route includes mountains, rivers, cities, hills, brooks, caves,
woods, and sandal forests in the southern regions.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Agastya is described as a radiant anchorite seated in holy musing on Malaya
hill, and the party is told to pass onward after receiving his permission.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Mahendra is described as a mountain planted in the sea, with tinted peaks,
golden glow, and divine or semi-divine visitors.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: An island one hundred leagues in extent lies off the continent and is said
to be ruled by Ravana.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: A mighty female monster guards the passage of the southern deep and grasps
shadows as they fly.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The Flowery Hill stands in the sea, has many bright peaks, is visited by saints
and angels, and is to be bowed to before the search continues.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Bhogavati is described as a broad-wayed, walled, barred city where serpent
hosts dwell under the rule of Vasuki.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: The searchers are instructed to examine the serpent city, its town, towers,
citadel, fields, and woods.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: On Mount Rishabh, sandal trees are tempting but must not be touched because
fierce Gandharva guardians stand around them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: Beyond the earth's confining region lies the dark sphere of departed spirits
and Yama's sad metropolis, and the living may not journey beyond that boundary.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:13
text: The searchers are told to survey the permitted realms, trace the lady's course,
and return to their king.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:14
text: The one who reports having seen the Maithil queen will receive a noble reward
and be treated as dear as the speaker's own life.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: unnamed commissioning speaker
description: The speaker gathers the southern search party, gives the route, sets
limits, and promises reward for finding the Maithil queen.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:10
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Nila
description: Nila is named as the son of Fire and one of the summoned searchers.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Jambavan
description: Jambavan is described as bold, strong, and tall and is included among
the summoned searchers.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Hanuman
description: Hanuman is named among the searchers and called the best of all.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Angad
description: Angad is made chief and guide of the southern search party.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Vanar host
description: The Vanars are addressed as the group who must travel, search, survey,
and return.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:10
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Agastya
description: Agastya is a noble anchorite on Malaya hill whose permission is required;
a mansion of Agastya is also described near Mount Kunjar.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Ravana
description: Ravana is said to rule the island off the continent and is identified
as one whom the speaker wishes to slay.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: shadow-grasping monster
description: A mighty monster guarding the southern deep is described as lifting
awful arms and grasping even flying shadows.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Yaksha, gods, and heavenly maids
description: These divine or semi-divine beings are described as wandering in the
shade of Mahendra mountain.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: serpent hosts and serpent youth
description: Serpent hosts dwell in Bhogavati, and fierce serpent youths with venomous
teeth keep guard there.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Vasuki
description: Vasuki is enthroned in an imperial hall and rules the serpent city.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Rohitas
description: The Rohitas are a fierce Gandharva guardian band stationed around the
sandal trees on Mount Rishabh.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: five bright sovereign lords
description: Five bright sovereign lords, glorious like the God of Day, are obeyed
by the Rohitas.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Maithil queen
description: The Maithil queen is the lady whose course the searchers must trace
and whose sighting will earn the finder a reward.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:16
name_or_label: Yama
description: Yama is named as the owner of the sad metropolis beyond the permitted
boundary for the living.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
roles:
- id: role:1
label: commissioning ruler or commander
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The speaker gathers the band, commands the southern search, and promises
reward.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:10
- id: role:2
label: southern search party
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
basis: These figures are summoned or addressed as those who must explore the southern
route.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:10
- id: role:3
label: chief and guide
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Angad is explicitly named as chief and guide.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: holy anchorite and permission-giver
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Agastya is seated in holy musing and the searchers must proceed after his
permission is granted.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: enemy island-ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The island is said to be under Ravana's sway, and he is marked as the one
the speaker seeks to slay.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: guardian of the southern deep
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The monster stands to keep the passage and seizes shadows.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: serpent inhabitants and guards
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The serpent hosts dwell in Bhogavati and venomous serpent youths guard it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: serpent sovereign
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: Vasuki is enthroned and rules all in the serpent city.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: guardians of prohibited sandal trees
assigned_to:
- fig:13
- fig:14
basis: The Rohitas guard the sandal trees and obey five sovereign lords.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:10
label: sought queen or missing lady
assigned_to:
- fig:15
basis: The Maithil queen is the object of the search and of the promised reward.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:11
label: lord associated with the realm of departed spirits
assigned_to:
- fig:16
basis: Yama's metropolis lies beyond the dark sphere of departed spirits.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:12
label: divine or semi-divine visitors
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Yakshas, gods, and heavenly maids are said to meet and wander on Mahendra.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: southern search route
literal_form: A prescribed itinerary through named southern lands, rivers, forests,
caves, mountains, islands, and boundary realms.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: sym:2
label: mountains as waypoints
literal_form: Vindhya, Malaya, Mahendra, Flowery Hill, Suryavan, Vaidyut, Kunjar,
and Rishabh are named as landmarks to be reached, searched, revered, or avoided
in part.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: sym:3
label: rivers and sea crossings
literal_form: Narmada, Krishnaveni, Godavari, Kaveri, Tamraparni, the sea, and the
southern deep mark the route.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: caves to be searched
literal_form: Caves in the Dandak woods are among the places ordered to be searched.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:5
label: Ravana's island
literal_form: A hundred-league island off the continent, whose shore no man may
tread and which is ruled by Ravana.
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: shadow-seizing guardian
literal_form: A mighty monster at the southern deep who grasps shadows as they fly.
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: serpent city
literal_form: Bhogavati, a walled and barred city of serpent hosts, guarded by venomous
serpent youths and ruled by Vasuki.
associated_figures:
- fig:11
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:8
label: forbidden sandal trees
literal_form: Heavenly fragrant sandal trees on Mount Rishabh that the searchers
are warned not to touch.
associated_figures:
- fig:13
- fig:14
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:9
label: dark boundary of the dead
literal_form: The departed spirits' sphere and Yama's dark, sad metropolis beyond
which living beings may not go.
associated_figures:
- fig:16
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Commission of the southern search party
summary: The speaker gathers a chosen band, names leading searchers, appoints Angad
as chief and guide, and orders exploration toward the southern coast.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Search through southern lands and forests
summary: The party is instructed to search named mountains, rivers, cities, hills,
brooks, caves, woods, and sandal-scented forests.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Agastya and the approach to the sea
summary: The route passes Kaveri, Malaya hill where Agastya sits, Tamraparni, the
Pandya gates, and finally the ocean shore.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Mahendra and Ravana's island
summary: The searchers are directed to Mahendra in the sea, then to a hundred-league
island under Ravana, guarded by a shadow-grasping monster.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Sea mountains beyond the island
summary: After the island, the route continues past the Flowery Hill, which must
be reverenced, and then to Suryavan, Vaidyut, and fruit-bearing trees.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Bhogavati, city of serpents
summary: Near Mount Kunjar and Agastya's mansion lies Bhogavati, a guarded serpent
city ruled by Vasuki, which the searchers must examine carefully.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Rishabh and the guarded sandal trees
summary: The searchers reach gem-bright Rishabh, where sandal trees must not be
touched because Gandharva guardians protect them under five lords.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:13
- fig:14
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:8
label: Limit at the realm of departed spirits
summary: The route ends at the confines of earth; beyond lies the dark realm of
departed spirits and Yama's metropolis, where living beings may not go.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:16
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: scene:9
label: Return and reward for finding the queen
summary: The searchers are told to survey carefully, trace the lady's course, return
to their king, and receive great reward if they have seen the Maithil queen.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:15
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: quest to recover or locate a stolen beloved queen
taxonomy_refs:
- stolen_beloved
- mystical_quest
basis: The entire itinerary is framed as a search for the Maithil queen, whose course
must be traced and whose discovery brings reward; Ravana is named as ruler of
the island and as an enemy to be slain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The passage focuses on the search instructions rather than narrating the
original abduction.
- id: motif:2
label: mapped quest to the edge of the living world
taxonomy_refs:
- afterlife_journey_map
- mystical_quest
basis: The search route proceeds through terrestrial and maritime realms until it
reaches the boundary before the departed spirits' sphere and Yama's dark metropolis,
beyond which the living may not travel.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The searchers are explicitly told not to go beyond the boundary, so this
is not a completed descent into the afterlife.
- id: motif:3
label: serpent realm ruled by a serpent king
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
basis: Bhogavati is described as a guarded city of serpent hosts ruled by Vasuki
from an imperial hall.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives a geographical search instruction rather than a full
episode inside the serpent city.
- id: motif:4
label: sacred mountains as quest waypoints
taxonomy_refs:
- cosmic_mountain
basis: Multiple mountains structure the route; Mahendra is planted in the sea and
visited by divine beings, and the Flowery Hill is sun-bright, visited by saints
and angels, and must be bowed to.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The mountains are sacred or extraordinary waypoints, but the passage does
not explicitly identify one as a world axis or cosmic center.
- id: motif:5
label: taboo against touching guarded sacred trees
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The searchers are warned not to touch the fragrant sandal trees on Rishabh
because fierce Gandharva guardians protect them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage states the prohibition and guardianship but does not narrate
a violation or consequence.
- id: motif:6
label: threshold guardian who seizes shadows
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A mighty monster guards the passage of the southern deep and grasps even
flying shadows.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The monster is described as a route hazard; no encounter with the searchers
is narrated in this passage.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 42775-42786
quote_or_summary: The speaker gathers a chosen southern band, naming Nila, Jambavan,
Hanuman, other lords, and Angad as chief and guide, and orders them to explore
toward the southern coast.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; source metadata permits full text use.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 42787-42807
quote_or_summary: The route includes Vindhya, Narmada, Krishnaveni, Godavari, Mekhal,
Utkal, Dasarna, Avanti, Abravanti, Dandak woods, hills, brooks, caves, Ayomukh,
ore-rich slopes, and sandal forests.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; source metadata permits full text use.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 42808-42824
quote_or_summary: The searchers are directed past Kaveri to Malaya hill, where Agastya
sits in holy musing; after his permission, they are to cross Tamraparni, pass
crocodile-loved isles, and reach the Pandya gates and ocean shore.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; source metadata permits full text use.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 42825-42838
quote_or_summary: Mahendra is described as planted in the sea by Agastya's decree,
glowing gold, resisting the waves, covered with blooming creepers and trees, and
visited by Yakshas, gods, heavenly maids, and Indra's presence.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; source metadata permits full text use.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 42839-42847
quote_or_summary: A hundred-league island fronts the continent, belongs to Ravana,
and must be explored carefully; a mighty monster guards the southern deep and
grasps flying shadows.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; source metadata permits full text use.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 42848-42864
quote_or_summary: Beyond the island rises the Flowery Hill with a hundred sun-bright
peaks, visited by saints and angels; the searchers must bow to it and proceed
to Suryavan, Vaidyut, and trees yielding fruits and honey.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; source metadata permits full text use.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 42865-42880
quote_or_summary: At Mount Kunjar stands Agastya's mansion; nearby Bhogavati is
a broad, walled, barred serpent city guarded by venomous serpent youths and ruled
by Vasuki, and the searchers must inspect it closely.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; source metadata permits full text use.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 42881-42894
quote_or_summary: Rishabh is a gem-bright mountain with rare heavenly sandal trees;
the searchers are warned not to touch them because Rohita Gandharvas guard them
under five bright sovereign lords.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; source metadata permits full text use.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 42895-42906
quote_or_summary: The worthy dwell at the confines of earth; beyond lies the dark
sphere of departed spirits and Yama's sad metropolis, and the living may not journey
farther.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; source metadata permits full text use.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 42907-42919
quote_or_summary: The searchers must survey all permitted realms, trace the lady's
course, and return; whoever reports seeing the Maithil queen will receive a noble
reward, equal power and bliss, and the speaker's special love and kinship.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; source metadata permits full text use.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: The passage is a clear itinerary and search commission. Motif labels are
limited to patterns directly supported by the passage. No external comparisons
are 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; comparison_claims left empty because the passage itself does not make cross-textual comparisons.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l42772-l42919
passage_sha256=0ab929c0bd985ec783bb56d36be6aae42dc41a91a13c00565d5a4b1b2e27dca3