batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l55006-l55121
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l55006-l55121
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto L. The Broken Spell. / Canto LX. Kumbhakarna Roused. / Canto LXXIV.
The Medicinal Herbs. / Canto LXXV. The Night Attack.; lines 55006-55121
start: '55006'
end: '55121'
translation: The Ramayan of Valmiki
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: The spear, with all his fury flung, / Swift, flickering like a serpent’s
tongue... / Smote Lakshmaṇ, and the hero fell.
summary: Rāvaṇ advances in his chariot and battles Rāma and Lakshmaṇ with arrows
and enchanted weapons. Rāma counters with a fire-dart sacred to the Lord of Flame.
Vibhishaṇ kills Rāvaṇ’s chariot steeds, and Lakshmaṇ saves Vibhishaṇ from a spear.
Rāvaṇ then hurls a magic spear forged by Maya at Lakshmaṇ, who falls. Rāma grieves
briefly, attacks fiercely, and Rāvaṇ flees.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Rāvaṇ’s chariot advances, shaking the earth, while conquered Vánars fall or
flee before his arrows.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Rāma strings his bow, and Lakshmaṇ shoots arrows at Rāvaṇ, but Rāvaṇ checks
the missiles with his own arrows.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Rāvaṇ and Rāma meet in a fierce exchange of arrows that darkens the sky with
missiles.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: The battle is explicitly compared to the fight in which Vritra fell by Indra’s
might.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Rāma speaks a spell over a dire dart, but it rebounds from Rāvaṇ’s steelproof
coat.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Rāvaṇ launches wondrous weapons shaped or headed like predatory birds and
animals, including lion, tiger, wolf, and snake forms.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Rāma launches a fire-dart sacred to the Lord of Flame, and additional blazing
shafts consume or turn back Rāvaṇ’s weapons.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: Vibhishaṇ kills the steeds drawing Rāvaṇ’s chariot with a mace.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Rāvaṇ throws a fire-flashing spear, but Rāma’s arrows stop it and it falls
harmlessly.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: Rāvaṇ seizes a more fearsome spear and turns it toward Lakshmaṇ after Lakshmaṇ
saves Vibhishaṇ from death.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: obs:11
text: The spear hurled at Lakshmaṇ is described as forged by Maya with magic art,
flickering like a serpent’s tongue and adorned with bells.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:12
text: The magic spear strikes Lakshmaṇ, and he falls.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:13
text: Rāma briefly grieves for Lakshmaṇ, then represses grief and attacks Rāvaṇ
with streaming arrows until Rāvaṇ flees.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Rāvaṇ
description: King of Lankā and giant foe who fights from a chariot, launches enchanted
weapons, strikes Lakshmaṇ, and later flees.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:10
- ev:12
- ev:13
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Rāma
description: Raghu’s son who opposes Rāvaṇ, uses spells and fire-weapons, grieves
for Lakshmaṇ, and renews the attack.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:13
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Lakshmaṇ
description: Younger chieftain who shoots at Rāvaṇ, saves Vibhishaṇ from death,
and is struck down by Rāvaṇ’s magic spear.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Vibhishaṇ
description: Ally who kills Rāvaṇ’s chariot steeds and is saved from a deadly spear
by Lakshmaṇ’s intervention.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Vánars
description: The monkey warriors who fall or flee before Rāvaṇ’s arrows.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Lord of Flame
description: Divine being to whom Rāma’s fire-dart is sacred.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Maya
description: Maker named as forging the mortal spear with magic art.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Indra
description: Mythic figure named in a comparison as the one by whose might Vritra
fell.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Vritra
description: Mythic figure named in a comparison as falling by Indra’s might.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
roles:
- id: role:1
label: primary battlefield opponents
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:2
basis: Rāvaṇ and Rāma meet and pour arrows upon each other.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: allied defenders against Rāvaṇ
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
basis: Rāma, Lakshmaṇ, and Vibhishaṇ act against Rāvaṇ in sequence.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:13
- id: role:3
label: wounded rescuer
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Lakshmaṇ saves Vibhishaṇ and is then struck by Rāvaṇ’s spear.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: role:4
label: attacker with enchanted weapons
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Rāvaṇ uses spells, animal-headed missiles, and a magic spear.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:10
- ev:12
- id: role:5
label: defeated army
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The Vánars fall or flee before Rāvaṇ’s attack.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: divine patron of fire-weapon
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Rāma’s dart of fire is sacred to the Lord of Flame.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: magic weapon maker
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The spear is said to be forged by Maya with magic art.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: role:8
label: mythic victor in comparison
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The passage compares the fight to Vritra falling by Indra’s might.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: mythic defeated foe in comparison
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Vritra is named as the one who fell by Indra’s might.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: fire weapon
literal_form: Rāma’s dart of fire and blazing shafts, sacred to the Lord of Flame.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:2
label: serpent-tongue spear
literal_form: The magic spear that flickers like a serpent’s tongue.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: sym:3
label: animal-headed missiles
literal_form: Weapons with heads or forms of vulture, kite, lion, tiger, wolf, and
snake.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: steelproof coat
literal_form: Rāvaṇ’s armor from which Rāma’s spelled dart rebounds.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: chariot steeds
literal_form: The steeds drawing Rāvaṇ’s chariot, killed by Vibhishaṇ.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Rāvaṇ’s chariot assault
summary: Rāvaṇ’s chariot rushes forward, and his arrows cause the Vánars to fall
or flee as he nears Rāma and Lakshmaṇ.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Duel of arrows and enchanted weapons
summary: Rāma and Rāvaṇ exchange intense volleys; Rāma’s spelled dart fails against
Rāvaṇ’s armor, while Rāma’s fire-weapon counters Rāvaṇ’s animal-headed missiles.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:3
label: Lakshmaṇ struck by the magic spear
summary: After Vibhishaṇ kills Rāvaṇ’s steeds and Lakshmaṇ saves him from death,
Rāvaṇ hurls a magic spear forged by Maya at Lakshmaṇ, who falls. Rāma then grieves
briefly, attacks, and Rāvaṇ flees.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: enchanted weapon duel
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The battle centers on spells, divine or wondrous missiles, armor that repels
a charmed dart, and weapons that counter other weapons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: No specific supplied motif-family taxonomy item directly names enchanted
weapon duels.
- id: motif:2
label: sacred fire weapon repelling hostile missiles
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Rāma’s fire-dart, sacred to the Lord of Flame, burns and turns back Rāvaṇ’s
weapons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The available taxonomy includes the symbol 'fire' but no precise motif-family
item for a fire weapon.
- id: motif:3
label: ally wounded after saving another ally
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: Lakshmaṇ saves Vibhishaṇ from death, after which Rāvaṇ declares that Lakshmaṇ
will receive the spear in Vibhishaṇ’s stead; the spear strikes Lakshmaṇ and he
falls.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents a substitutionary wound, but it does not state that
Lakshmaṇ deliberately offers himself as a sacrificial victim.
- id: motif:4
label: epic combat likened to Indra’s victory over Vritra
taxonomy_refs:
- chaos
basis: The narrator explicitly says the fight was not fiercer when Vritra fell by
Indra’s might.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage only names Indra and Vritra in a simile; it does not narrate
the Indra-Vritra myth or describe Vritra’s nature here.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage explicitly compares Rāma and Rāvaṇ’s battle to the mythic combat
in which Vritra fell by Indra’s might.
claim_level: same_function
target: Indra’s defeat of Vritra
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The comparison is a poetic simile within the passage; it does not establish
historical contact or full motif identity beyond the named analogy.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 55006-55013
quote_or_summary: Rāvaṇ’s chariot rushes forward; the earth shakes, and conquered
Vánars fall or flee under his arrows.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 55014-55025
quote_or_summary: Rāma strings his bow; Lakshmaṇ shoots at Rāvaṇ, but Rāvaṇ checks
the arrows and overpowers Lakshmaṇ with thick darts.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 55026-55035
quote_or_summary: Rāvaṇ and Rāma meet in fiercer combat, sending a tempest of arrows
until the sky is dark with missiles.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:4
type: quote
locator: lines 55036-55037
quote_or_summary: "“Not fiercer was the wondrous fight / When Vritra fell by Indra’s
might.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; brief quote used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 55042-55047
quote_or_summary: Rāma speaks a spell over a dire dart, but it rebounds from Rāvaṇ’s
steelproof coat.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 55048-55054
quote_or_summary: Rāvaṇ launches wondrous weapons, some beaked like vultures or
kites and others with heads of lion, tiger, wolf, and snake.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 55055-55070
quote_or_summary: Rāma launches a fire-dart sacred to the Lord of Flame and other
blazing shafts; they burn, consume, and turn back Rāvaṇ’s darts.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 55084-55085
quote_or_summary: Vibhishaṇ kills the steeds drawing Rāvaṇ’s chariot with his mace.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 55086-55090
quote_or_summary: Rāvaṇ hurls a ponderous spear flashing like fire; Rāma’s arrows
stop it, and it falls harmlessly.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 55091-55096
quote_or_summary: Rāvaṇ seizes a more fearsome spear that would have killed Vibhishaṇ,
but Lakshmaṇ’s arrows strike Rāvaṇ’s armor.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:11
type: quote
locator: lines 55097-55102
quote_or_summary: "“Thou, thou again my wrath hast braved, / And from his death
Vibhishaṇ saved. / Now in his stead this spear receive...”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; brief quote used.
- id: ev:12
type: quote
locator: lines 55104-55109
quote_or_summary: "“He hurled the mortal dart / By Maya forged with magic art...
/ Smote Lakshmaṇ, and the hero fell.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; brief quote used.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: lines 55110-55121
quote_or_summary: Rāma sighs and briefly weeps, then represses grief; his arrows
stream out, and Rāvaṇ turns and flees in terror.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The main battlefield actions and figures are explicit. Motif taxonomy assignments
are cautious because the supplied taxonomy lacks exact labels for enchanted weapon
combat and substitutionary wounding.
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: |-
Only the supplied passage and metadata were used. Diacritics follow the provided text where present.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l55006-l55121
passage_sha256=5ba979bb65e86855556ccc658fa069ba911568c28aee4f08c31c6ca4a5355f26