batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l42922-l43030
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l42922-l43030
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto XXXVII. The Gathering. / Canto XL. The Army Of The East. / Canto XLI.
The Army Of The South. / Canto XLII. The Army Of The West.; lines 42922-43030
start: '42922'
end: '43030'
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 appoints Sushen to lead two hundred thousand Vanars westward in
search of Ravana and the Maithil queen. The route traverses western lands, mountains,
ocean shore, sacred peaks, caves, forests, Meru, Varuna’s palace, Mount Asta,
and the limit beyond which Sugriva says the sunless sea is unknown to him. The
searchers are instructed to question the hermit Savarni and to obey Sushen, who
is Sugriva’s consort’s father.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Sugriva addresses Sushen reverently and assigns him command of two hundred
thousand of the best Vanars to seek the west.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The search route includes Surashtra, Vahlika, brooks running through mountains
to the western sea, groves, hills, deserts, woody mountains, and the ocean beach.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The Vanars are told to seek Ravana and the Maithil queen in grassy dells,
dark ravines, brooks, pathless glens, leafy nooks, caves, and abysses.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: obs:4
text: At Somagiri, where Sindhu meets the sea, winged lions are described as carrying
elephants and monsters from the ocean to their lairs.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: The Vanars are described as able to change forms at will.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: At Pariyatra, wild Gandharvas guard fruit, and the Vanars are warned not to
pluck it.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: The passage describes a diamond-framed hill named Vajra, with caves, dark
abysses, waterfalls, and precipices to be searched.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: In the sea stands Chakravan, where a thousand-rayed discus was made by Visvakarma;
after Panchajan and Hayagriva were slain, Vishnu took shell and discus from there.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: Sixty thousand golden hills surround Meru, which is called the best of mountains
and shines like the morning sun.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: The sun is said to have granted Meru and its mountains perpetual light by
day and night, shared by gods and Gandharvas dwelling on its summits.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:11
text: Gods approach Meru’s crest at evening to worship the departing sun before
he falls behind Mount Asta.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:12
text: A glittering palace made by a heavenly artist is described as the home of
Varuna, who is marked by a deadly cord.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:13
text: Between Meru and Asta stands a ten-stemmed silver palm casting wide lustre.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:14
text: On Meru’s crest lives the hermit Savarni, bright with the light of penance;
the Vanars are instructed to bow, speak reverently, and ask him about the woman
they seek.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:15
text: Sugriva says the sun travels only as far as Mount Asta, and beyond it the
sunless sea is unknown to him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: obs:16
text: Sugriva says Sushen is his consort’s father and therefore deserves utmost
reverence and obedience.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Sugriva
description: Speaker who assigns the western search and explains Sushen’s authority
and kinship relation.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:15
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Sushen
description: Leader appointed to guide the Vanar legions in the western search;
identified as Sugriva’s consort’s father.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:15
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Vanars
description: Search party of two hundred thousand, described as able to change forms
at will.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Ravana
description: Named as one of the targets of the search.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Maithil queen / Janak’s daughter / the dame
description: Female figure sought by the Vanars along with Ravana.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:13
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Winged lions
description: Lions at Somagiri, borne on swift wings, carrying elephants and monsters
from the ocean.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Gandharvas
description: Wild Gandharvas dwelling at Pariyatra and guarding fruit; also named
among beings sharing Meru’s golden light.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:9
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Visvakarma
description: Heavenly artisan who made the thousand-rayed discus at Chakravan.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Panchajan
description: Fiend said to have been slain before Vishnu took the shell and discus.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Hayagriva
description: Fierce figure said to have been slain before Vishnu took the shell
and discus.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Vishnu
description: Preeminent god who took the shell and discus after Panchajan and Hayagriva
were slain.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Meru
description: King and best of mountains, surrounded by golden hills, associated
with perpetual light and divine worship.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Lord of Day / Sun
description: Figure who granted Meru perpetual light and is worshipped by gods at
evening before setting behind Mount Asta.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:14
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Gods, Visvas, Vasus, and tempest-riders
description: Divine beings who approach Meru at evening and worship the departing
sun.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Varuna
description: High-souled lord whose palace stands near Meru and Asta; described
with a deadly cord at his wrist.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: fig:16
name_or_label: Savarni
description: Hermit on Meru’s crest, bright with penance, to be questioned about
the sought woman.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
roles:
- id: role:1
label: royal commander and instructor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Sugriva assigns the western search route and gives commands about conduct,
leadership, and questioning Savarni.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:13
- ev:15
- id: role:2
label: appointed guide of the western legions
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Sugriva says Sushen shall guide the legions and his words must be respected.
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: role:3
label: searching expedition party
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The Vanars are sent west to search many terrains for Ravana and the Maithil
queen.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: search target
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The searchers are repeatedly told to seek Ravana.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: sought queen
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The passage names the Maithil queen, Janak’s daughter, and the dame as the
person sought.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:13
- id: role:6
label: fruit guardians
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The Gandharvas are described as guarding the fruit at Pariyatra and as dangerous
to overcome.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: divine artisan
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Visvakarma is credited with making the great thousand-rayed discus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: revered elder by kinship
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Sugriva identifies Sushen as his consort’s father and says he deserves utmost
reverence.
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: role:9
label: sacred mountain king
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: Meru is called king and best of mountains, receives a boon of perpetual light,
and hosts gods on its summits.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:10
label: solar deity or personified sun
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: The Lord of Day grants light to Meru and is worshipped by gods before setting
behind Mount Asta.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:11
label: evening worshippers
assigned_to:
- fig:14
basis: The gods draw near to Meru at evening and worship the departing sun.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:12
label: ascetic informant
assigned_to:
- fig:16
basis: Savarni is a hermit bright with penance whom the Vanars are told to question
about the woman sought.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: western sea and ocean boundary
literal_form: sea, ocean beach, deep, waves, sunless sea
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:14
- id: sym:2
label: mountain route and sacred peaks
literal_form: Somagiri, Pariyatra, Vajra, Chakravan, Meru, Asta, golden hills
associated_figures:
- fig:12
- fig:13
- fig:14
- fig:16
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:14
- id: sym:3
label: caves and dark abysses
literal_form: caves and dark abysses near waterfalls and precipices
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: guarded fruit grove
literal_form: fruit within the wood guarded by Gandharvas
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: ten-stemmed silver palm
literal_form: silver palm with ten tall stems between Meru and Asta
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: sym:6
label: shell and thousand-rayed discus
literal_form: shell and discus made at Chakravan and taken by Vishnu
associated_figures:
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:7
label: perpetual golden light on Meru
literal_form: light shining day and night on Meru and its summits
associated_figures:
- fig:12
- fig:13
- fig:14
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:8
label: Varuna’s cord
literal_form: deadly cord at Varuna’s wrist
associated_figures:
- fig:15
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Appointment of the western search party
summary: Sugriva appoints Sushen to lead two hundred thousand Vanars westward and
instructs them to seek Ravana and the Maithil queen.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: scene:2
label: Survey of western lands and ocean approaches
summary: The searchers are directed through western regions, groves, mountains,
deserts, ravines, sea-coast, Somagiri, and the meeting of Sindhu with the sea.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Dangerous sacred peaks and guarded places
summary: The Vanars are instructed to search Pariyatra and Vajra while avoiding
the guarded fruit of Gandharvas and searching caves, abysses, waterfalls, and
precipices.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Chakravan and Vishnu’s weapons
summary: Chakravan is described as the sea-based place where Visvakarma made the
thousand-rayed discus, and where Vishnu took shell and discus after Panchajan
and Hayagriva were slain.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Meru, divine light, and evening worship
summary: Meru rises amid sixty thousand golden hills, receives the sun’s boon of
perpetual light, and is approached by gods who worship the departing sun before
it sets behind Asta.
figure_refs:
- fig:12
- fig:13
- fig:14
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: scene:6
label: Varuna’s palace, the silver palm, and Savarni
summary: Near Meru and Asta are Varuna’s glittering palace, a ten-stemmed silver
palm, and the hermit Savarni, whom the Vanars must question about the woman they
seek.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:15
- fig:16
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:5
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
- id: scene:7
label: Limit of the known solar path
summary: Sugriva states that the sun travels as far as Mount Asta, after which lies
a sunless sea unknown to him, and he reiterates Sushen’s authority.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:13
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Expeditionary search for a missing queen across the western world
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: A large Vanar force is sent westward through ordinary and supernatural landscapes
to seek Ravana and the Maithil queen.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:13
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames the mission as a search; broader reasons for the queen’s
absence are not stated in this excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: Sacred cosmic mountain of perpetual light
taxonomy_refs:
- cosmic_mountain
- world_center
basis: Meru is called king and best of mountains, surrounded by golden hills, granted
day-and-night light by the sun, and approached by gods at evening.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not explicitly call Meru the world center, but its central
placement and cosmic functions support the candidate within the provided taxonomy.
- id: motif:3
label: Boundary of the known world at the sun’s setting
taxonomy_refs:
- afterlife_journey_map
basis: The route extends to Mount Asta, where the sun sets, and beyond it lies a
sunless sea unknown to the speaker.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
confidence: low
cautions: The passage is a geographic search itinerary, not an afterlife journey;
the taxonomy match is only partial because it maps a liminal cosmic boundary.
- id: motif:4
label: Forbidden or dangerous fruit guarded by supernatural beings
taxonomy_refs:
- forbidden_knowledge
basis: The Vanars are warned not to pluck fruit in Pariyatra’s wood because fierce
Gandharvas guard it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: low
cautions: The fruit is forbidden by command and guarded, but the passage does not
connect it to knowledge.
- id: motif:5
label: Shape-changing helpers on a heroic search
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: The Vanars are explicitly described as changing forms at will while conducting
the search.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The passage states the ability but does not narrate a specific transformation
in this excerpt.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 42922-42928
quote_or_summary: Sugriva addresses Sushen and says two hundred thousand of the
best Vanars will go with him to seek the west.
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 42929-42943
quote_or_summary: The route includes Surashtra, Vahlika, brooks through mountains
to the western sea, mountain groves, anchorite woods, hills, deserts, woody mountains,
and the ocean beach.
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 42944-42947
quote_or_summary: The Vanars are told to seek Ravana and the Maithil queen through
dells and dark ravines.
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 42948-42957
quote_or_summary: At Somagiri, where Sindhu meets the sea, winged lions roam and
carry elephants and sea monsters; the Vanars are told to scour the hill and are
described as changing forms at will.
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 42958-42968
quote_or_summary: Pariyatra rises with a golden peak, inhabited by wild Gandharvas;
the Vanars are warned not to pluck fruit guarded there but to continue searching
for Janak’s daughter.
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 42969-42976
quote_or_summary: A diamond-framed hill named Vajra stands nearby, and its caves,
dark abysses, waterfalls, and precipices are to be searched.
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 42977-42988
quote_or_summary: Chakravan stands in the sea; there Visvakarma made the thousand-rayed
discus, and Vishnu took the shell and discus after Panchajan and Hayagriva were
slain.
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 42989-42996
quote_or_summary: Sixty thousand golden hills are seen, brilliant like the morning
sun, with King Meru, best of mountains, in their midst.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 42997-43006
quote_or_summary: The sun granted Meru and its mountains perpetual day-and-night
light; Gandharvas and gods dwelling on Meru share the golden sheen.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 43007-43016
quote_or_summary: The Visvas, Vasus, tempest-riders, and other gods come to Meru’s
crest at evening and worship the departing sun before he falls behind Mount Asta.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 43017-43022
quote_or_summary: A glorious palace made by the heavenly artist glitters among blossoming
trees as the home of Varuna, who bears a deadly cord.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: lines 43023-43027
quote_or_summary: Between Meru and Asta is a ten-stemmed palm of pure silver spreading
its lustre widely.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: lines 43028-43037
quote_or_summary: The Vanars must seek Ravana and the dame by brooks, glens, and
nooks; on Meru’s crest lives the penance-bright hermit Savarni, whom they should
reverently ask about the woman sought.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:14
type: summary
locator: lines 43038-43043
quote_or_summary: Sugriva says the sun travels through heaven only as far as Asta,
then sinks behind it; beyond lies a sunless sea unknown to him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:15
type: summary
locator: lines 43044-43030
quote_or_summary: Sugriva says Sushen, long tried in peril, will guide the legions;
his wishes must be respected because he is Sugriva’s consort’s father.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Extraction is based on the supplied English passage only. Line locators are
approximate within the provided range; the final evidence locator follows the
supplied end line although the excerpted passage appears internally longer than
that range.
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 this material with another corpus or tradition.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l42922-l43030
passage_sha256=078711e152c7b11a1a4b6ef283a810e9a9f938fd1ae10d858a87975d1f37e608