batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l44487-l44551
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l44487-l44551
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto L. The Enchanted Cave. / Canto LII. The Exit. / Canto LXIV. The Sea.
/ Canto LXV. The Council.; lines 44487-44551
start: '44487'
end: '44551'
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: In council, the Vánar host cannot find anyone able to leap across the sea.
Jámbaván, an aged sage and chief, recounts his former strength and offers only
a ninety-league leap. Angad volunteers to attempt the leap to Lanká but doubts
his ability to return. Jámbaván counsels that Angad, as prince and hope of the
host, must be protected, and says he will incite another sufficiently powerful
chieftain.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The assembled host is unable to identify anyone who can clear the sea by a
leap.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Jámbaván is described as a sage, chief, and the eldest by reverend age.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Jámbaván says old age now burdens his body and spirit, though he once had
great leaping power.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Jámbaván says he can still make a leap of ninety leagues if that would help.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Jámbaván recalls that in youth he rapidly circled Lord Vishṇu during Prahláda’s
solemn rite when Vishṇu strode through the universe.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Angad offers to attempt the leap to Lanká, but says he may lack the power
to leap back from the island.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Jámbaván tells Angad that the task is not for him because kings send attendants
rather than going themselves.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: Jámbaván states that Angad is the root of the appointed enterprise and must
be cherished and defended.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: Angad says that if no chief dares the exploit, the host faces despair, fasting,
and death for neglecting the king’s decree.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: Jámbaván says the attempt will not be vain because he will incite a sufficiently
mighty chieftain to the task.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Vánar host
description: The assembled host whose members declare their powers but cannot clear
the sea.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Jámbaván
description: An aged sage and chief among the Vánars who counsels the group and
assesses the task.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Angad
description: An impetuous Vánar prince, Báli’s noble son, who volunteers to attempt
the leap.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Ráma
description: Named as one of the powers whose alliance with the Vánar king gives
weight to the task.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: the king
description: The Vánars’ king, named only as 'our king' in this passage, whose decree
the host fears neglecting.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:8
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Lord Vishṇu
description: The everlasting God whom Jámbaván says he circled in flight when Vishṇu
strode through the universe.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Prahláda
description: Named in connection with the solemn rite in Jámbaván’s recollection.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: unnamed chieftain of sufficient might
description: The chieftain whom Jámbaván says he will incite to undertake the task.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
roles:
- id: role:1
label: aged counselor
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Jámbaván is called a sage and aged chief and gives counsel about who should
undertake the leap.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: role:2
label: former mighty leaper
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Jámbaván recounts former leaping power and a cosmic flight around Vishṇu,
while contrasting it with present old age.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:3
label: protected prince and volunteer
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Angad volunteers for the leap, but Jámbaván says the task is not for him
and that he must be defended.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: commanding authority
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:5
basis: The task is linked to Ráma and the king, and Angad refers to the danger of
neglecting the king’s decree.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: council of questing Vánars
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The host declares its powers under Angad’s direction but finds none able
to clear the sea.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: anticipated champion
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Jámbaván says he will incite a chieftain of sufficient might for the task.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: sea barrier
literal_form: sea
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: Lanká as distant island goal
literal_form: Lanká’s island
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:3
label: cosmic stride of Vishṇu
literal_form: Vishṇu treading through the universe
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Council measures the sea-crossing task
summary: The Vánar host states its powers, but no one is found able to leap across
the sea.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Jámbaván recounts age and former strength
summary: Jámbaván explains that old age has weakened him, offers a ninety-league
leap, and recalls having once flown around Vishṇu.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Angad volunteers and is restrained
summary: Angad volunteers to leap to Lanká but doubts he can return; Jámbaván replies
that Angad, as prince and root of the enterprise, should not be risked.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: Decision to incite another champion
summary: After Angad warns of despair and death if the king’s decree is neglected,
Jámbaván says the attempt will not fail because he will incite a sufficiently
mighty chieftain.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:8
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: council before an impossible crossing
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: The host gathers to assess who can cross the sea, and the inability of ordinary
members creates a crisis before the quest can continue.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents a practical council and sea-crossing obstacle; the
broader quest purpose is not fully stated in this excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: aged hero recalls lost youthful power
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Jámbaván contrasts present weakness from old age with former extraordinary
speed and strength.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: This is a character-pattern motif rather than a taxonomy-listed motif
family.
- id: motif:3
label: protected royal figure must not undertake the perilous mission
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Jámbaván tells Angad that kings send servants, and that Angad is the root
of the enterprise and must be protected.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference is approximate; the passage emphasizes royal protection
and delegation, not a full legitimacy ritual.
- id: motif:4
label: selection of a hidden or unactivated champion
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: Jámbaván resolves to incite a sufficiently mighty chieftain after other candidates
prove unsuitable.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The champion is unnamed within the spoken passage; the following canto
title names Hanumán, but the action of selection is not yet narrated here.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: lines 44487-44551, opening of Canto LXV
quote_or_summary: "“none of all the host was found / To clear the sea with desperate
bound”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used for evidence.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: lines 44487-44551, Jámbaván introduced
quote_or_summary: "“Then spake good Jámbaván the sage, / Chief of them all for reverend
age”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used for evidence.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 44487-44551, Jámbaván’s speech on age and strength
quote_or_summary: Jámbaván says he once could leap lightly, but age now weighs on
him; because Ráma and the king are united in the task, he offers what strength
remains, including a ninety-league leap.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used for evidence.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 44487-44551, Jámbaván’s recollection of youth
quote_or_summary: Jámbaván recalls that in youth, at Prahláda’s rite, he rapidly
circled Lord Vishṇu when Vishṇu trod through the universe.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used for evidence.
- id: ev:5
type: quote
locator: lines 44487-44551, Angad volunteers
quote_or_summary: "“Myself the mighty leap will try: / Although perchance the power
I lack / To leap from Lanká’s island back.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used for evidence.
- id: ev:6
type: quote
locator: lines 44487-44551, Jámbaván answers Angad
quote_or_summary: "“This task, O Prince, is not for thee. / Kings go not forth themselves,
but send / The servants who their best attend.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used for evidence.
- id: ev:7
type: quote
locator: lines 44487-44551, Angad’s importance
quote_or_summary: "“In thee the root, O Angad, lies / Of our appointed enterprise”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used for evidence.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 44487-44551, Angad’s second reply
quote_or_summary: Angad says he must go if no chief dares the exploit, since otherwise
the host will lie down in despair, fast, and die for neglecting the king’s decree.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used for evidence.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: lines 44487-44551, Jámbaván’s closing response
quote_or_summary: "“our attempt shall not be vain, / For to the task will I incite
/ A chieftain of sufficient might.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used for evidence.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is well supported by the passage. Motif labels are cautious
because the excerpt contains only the council and not the subsequent crossing.
No comparison claims were made because the passage itself does not support a specific
cross-text comparison.
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. The following canto heading names Hanumán, but the unnamed 'chieftain of sufficient might' was not identified beyond the wording in the passage.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l44487-l44551
passage_sha256=3a1d17f84993272e54b19f732a372e908bbb69d75ece3d2ed094dce0f3ae01b3