batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l48748-l48929
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l48748-l48929
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto LVIII. The Feast Of Honey. / Canto LXV. The Tidings. / BOOK VI.(895)
/ Canto IV. The March.; lines 48748-48929
start: '48748'
end: '48929'
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: Rākshasa counselors debate how to defeat Rāma and the Vānar army, including
a proposal to deceive them by assuming human forms. Vibhishaṇ repeatedly advises
Rāvaṇ to restore the captive Sītā, warning that Rāma and his allies cannot be
overcome and that ominous disruptions in sacrifice, animals, and the city signal
danger. Rāvaṇ dismisses the council and later reacts angrily to Vibhishaṇ’s private
counsel.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A counselor proposes that thousands of Rākshasas assume youthful human forms
and claim to be an army sent by Bharat before attacking the Vānar army.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Nikumbha declares that he alone will take the field against Raghu’s son and
asks the chiefs to remain by the monarch.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: A group of warriors vows to kill Sugrīva, Raghu’s sons, and Hanumān, whom
they call the spoiler of their golden town.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Vibhishaṇ joins his palms in reverence and attempts to calm the warriors’
fury.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Vibhishaṇ states that Rāvaṇ stole the woman loved by Raghu’s son and keeps
her in his citadel.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Vibhishaṇ urges that the Maithil lady be restored before Rāma and the Vānars
attack Laṅkā.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Rāvaṇ gives no answer to Vibhishaṇ’s counsel, closes the council, and goes
to his chamber.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: In the morning Vibhishaṇ goes to Rāvaṇ’s palace, bows to him, blesses him,
and sits where Rāvaṇ can see him.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Vibhishaṇ reports that since Rāma’s queen has been captive in Rāvaṇ’s house,
daily disastrous omens have appeared.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: The reported omens include darkened sacrificial flames, failed offerings,
ants and serpents in the consecrated hall, distressed animals, predatory birds
on temples, and jackals, wolves, and hyenas around the city gates.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:11
text: Vibhishaṇ says that restoring the Maithil dame is the one atonement that may
cure these evils.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:12
text: Rāvaṇ hears Vibhishaṇ and reproves his speech in sudden wrath.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Rāvaṇ
description: Rākshasa monarch and brother of Vibhishaṇ, addressed as the one who
keeps Sītā captive.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:12
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Vibhishaṇ
description: Wise and brave brother of Rāvaṇ who gives counsel, urges restoration
of Sītā, and reports omens.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Rāma / Raghu’s son
description: Raghu’s son, Sītā’s lord, described by Vibhishaṇ as strong, self-controlled,
and dangerous to oppose.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Sītā / Maithil dame / Janak’s child
description: Rāma’s queen and the Maithil lady held captive in Rāvaṇ’s house or
citadel.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Hanumān
description: Vānar whose crossing of the sea and exploit are cited by Vibhishaṇ;
named by warriors as a target.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:13
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Sugrīva
description: Vānar king named as a target of the Rākshasa warriors.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Lakshmaṇ
description: Rāma’s younger ally or brother, named among those still alive in the
opening speech.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Bharat
description: Named in the proposed deception as the supposed sender of an army to
aid Rāma.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Nikumbha
description: Warrior who declares he alone will take the field against Raghu’s son.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Rākshasa warriors and chiefs
description: Rāvaṇ’s warriors and chiefs who propose deception or direct attack
against Rāma’s side.
role_refs:
- role:10
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Vānar army
description: Army allied with Rāma, described as the target of a planned Rākshasa
assault and later as a force that may cross the sea and attack Laṅkā.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: Rākshasa king
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Rāvaṇ is called the Rākshas monarch and is seated on a throne above the crowd.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:12
- id: role:2
label: abductor or captor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Vibhishaṇ says Rāvaṇ stole the woman loved by Raghu’s son and keeps her in
his citadel.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: counselor brother
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Vibhishaṇ invokes brotherhood and gives prudent counsel to Rāvaṇ.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:4
label: wronged husband or lord
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Sītā is described as Rāma’s queen and as the lady he loved who was stolen.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:9
- id: role:5
label: avenger
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Vibhishaṇ warns that the avenger may bend his bow and ruin Laṅkā if Sītā
is not released.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: captive beloved
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Sītā is called the captive, the Maithil lady, and Rāma’s queen held in Rāvaṇ’s
house.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: role:7
label: heroic messenger or warrior
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Vibhishaṇ cites Hanumān’s exploit of springing across the fearful sea.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: role:8
label: Vānar king
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The warriors call Sugrīva their enemy’s king.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:9
label: name used in deception
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The proposed disguised attackers are to claim that Bharat sends the army.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:10
label: would-be attacker
assigned_to:
- fig:9
- fig:10
basis: Nikumbha and other warriors declare their intent to attack Rāma’s side.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:11
label: disguised deceiver
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The plan calls for Rākshasa troops to assume youthful human forms and misrepresent
their allegiance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:12
label: besieging ally army
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Vibhishaṇ warns that the wild Vānars may cross the sea and scale Laṅkā’s
ramparts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: sacrificial fire
literal_form: flames of sacrifice growing faint, dark, smoky, and restless with
sparks
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:2
label: serpents in consecrated hall
literal_form: serpents creeping within the consecrated hall
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:3
label: fearful sea
literal_form: sea crossed by Hanumān and later expected to be crossed by the Vānars
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:13
- id: sym:4
label: captivity in citadel
literal_form: Sītā kept captive in Rāvaṇ’s house or citadel
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:9
- id: sym:5
label: ominous animals
literal_form: distressed cattle, elephants, horses, mules, camels, predatory birds,
jackals, wolves, and hyenas
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:6
label: joined palms
literal_form: Vibhishaṇ joins palm to palm in lowly reverence before addressing
the warriors
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Proposed deception and attack
summary: A Rākshasa counselor proposes that troops take human forms, claim to come
from Bharat, and then attack the Vānar army with weapons and stones.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Warriors vow direct assault
summary: Nikumbha and a group of warriors separately boast that they will attack
Rāma’s side, naming Sugrīva, Raghu’s sons, and Hanumān as targets.
figure_refs:
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Vibhishaṇ urges restoration of Sītā
summary: Vibhishaṇ reverently counsels the Rākshasas and Rāvaṇ that Rāma is too
powerful to oppose and that Sītā should be returned before Laṅkā is attacked.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:13
- id: scene:4
label: Rāvaṇ dismisses the council
summary: After Vibhishaṇ’s counsel, Rāvaṇ remains silent, ends the council, and
goes to rest.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Morning palace counsel and omens
summary: Vibhishaṇ visits Rāvaṇ’s palace in the morning and privately explains that
ominous signs have appeared since Sītā became captive in Rāvaṇ’s house.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: scene:6
label: Rāvaṇ’s angry response
summary: Rāvaṇ hears Vibhishaṇ’s warning and reproves him in sudden anger.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: stolen beloved whose return may avert war
taxonomy_refs:
- stolen_beloved
basis: Sītā is described as the woman loved by Raghu’s son whom Rāvaṇ stole and
keeps captive; Vibhishaṇ urges her restoration to prevent destruction of Laṅkā.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:9
- ev:11
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents this as counsel within a larger epic conflict; it
does not narrate the original abduction here.
- id: motif:2
label: disguise and false alliance used as battle stratagem
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
- trickster_boundary
basis: A Rākshasa plan calls for warriors to assume human forms and falsely claim
to be Bharat’s supporting army before attacking.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage records a proposed plan, not an enacted deception in this
excerpt.
- id: motif:3
label: moral disorder signaled by ominous ritual and animal signs
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Vibhishaṇ links Sītā’s captivity with darkened sacrificial fires, failed
offerings, serpents in sacred space, and distressed or predatory animals, and
proposes restitution as atonement.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage attributes the omens to wrongdoing and atonement, but does
not explicitly name a judging deity.
- id: motif:4
label: wise counselor ignored by wrathful ruler
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Vibhishaṇ offers prudent counsel for Rāvaṇ’s welfare, but Rāvaṇ first gives
no answer and later reproves him in sudden wrath.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:12
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference is broad; the motif is grounded in the counsel-and-rejection
pattern in the passage.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: 'This passage fits the stolen-beloved motif family at the passage level:
a ruler holds another hero’s beloved captive, and her return is urged as the means
to avert retaliatory destruction.'
claim_level: same_motif
target: motif_family:stolen_beloved
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:9
- ev:11
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The excerpt summarizes the captivity and counsel; the abduction itself
lies outside this passage.
- id: claim:2
claim: The proposed use of assumed human forms and a false claim of alliance corresponds
to a disguise/deceptive-boundary pattern within the available shapeshifter and
trickster-boundary motif families.
claim_level: same_function
target: motif_families:shapeshifter; trickster_boundary
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The scheme is proposed but not carried out in the excerpt.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 48748-48767
quote_or_summary: A speaker proposes that thousands of Rākshasas take youthful human
forms, say Bharat has sent an army to aid Rāma, and then attack the Vānar host
with weapons, steel, and stones.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: lines 48768-48775
quote_or_summary: "“I, only I, will take the field, / And Raghu’s son his life shall
yield.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short excerpt.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: Canto IX opening, lines 48780-48787
quote_or_summary: A score of warriors declare that they will slay Sugrīva, Raghu’s
sons, and Hanumān, called the spoiler of their golden town.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: Canto IX, lines 48788-48793
quote_or_summary: Vibhishaṇ, described as sage, joins his palms in lowly reverence
and tries to calm the chiefs’ fury.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:5
type: quote
locator: Canto IX, lines 48802-48807
quote_or_summary: "“Who stole the dame he loved so well / And keeps her in his citadel”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short excerpt.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: Canto IX, lines 48812-48839
quote_or_summary: Vibhishaṇ warns that the Maithil dame will bring peril, urges
Rāvaṇ to restore her, and says Rāma and the Vānars may ruin Laṅkā, cross the sea,
and scale the ramparts.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: Canto IX close, lines 48840-48843
quote_or_summary: Rāvaṇ gives no answer, closes the council, and goes to his chamber
for repose.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: Canto X opening, lines 48844-48883
quote_or_summary: In the morning Vibhishaṇ goes to his brother’s palace, sees courtly
and ritual surroundings, bows to Rāvaṇ on his throne, blesses him, and takes a
seat in his sight.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: Canto X, lines 48884-48889
quote_or_summary: "“since Ráma’s queen / A captive in thy house has been, / Disastrous
omens day by day”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short excerpt.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: Canto X, lines 48890-48917
quote_or_summary: 'Vibhishaṇ lists omens: smoky and dark sacrificial flames, failed
offerings, ants and serpents in the consecrated hall, dry cows, distressed elephants,
horses, mules, and camels, fierce birds on temples, and jackals, wolves, and hyenas
at the gates.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:11
type: quote
locator: Canto X, lines 48918-48921
quote_or_summary: "“Restore the Maithil dame, and win / An easy pardon for thy sin.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short excerpt.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: Canto X close, lines 48928-48929
quote_or_summary: The Rākshasa monarch hears Vibhishaṇ and reproves his speech in
sudden wrath.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:13
type: quote
locator: Canto IX, lines 48798-48801
quote_or_summary: "“Across the fearful sea to spring”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short excerpt.
- id: ev:14
type: summary
locator: lines 48748-48753
quote_or_summary: The opening speaker names Sugrīva, Lakshmaṇ, and Rāma as still
alive and proposes to crush them with a mace.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized for extraction.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Extraction uses only the provided passage. Line subranges are approximate
within the supplied stable range because the prompt provides the block but not
per-line numbering.
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: |-
All figures, roles, symbols, scenes, and motif candidates are limited to entities and patterns explicitly present in the supplied passage.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l48748-l48929
passage_sha256=70b127b9f4488757b90202e918a3bd6b7d315a5802ef1c1e75a32a6e331d48a7