batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l57183-l57268
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l57183-l57268
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto CXXVI. Bharat Consoled. / Canto CXXIX. The Meeting With Bharat. / Canto
CXXX. The Consecration. / APPENDIX.; lines 57183-57268
start: '57183'
end: '57268'
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 an appendix section titled “Rávan Doomed,” Rishyaśring conducts a sacrifice
so King Daśaratha may obtain sons. The gods grant that he will have four sons.
The gods then complain to Brahmá that Rávaṇa, protected by a boon against gods
and other beings, oppresses the universe. Brahmá notes that Rávaṇa did not ask
protection against humans, so he can be destroyed by a man. Vishṇu arrives, and
the gods ask him to become Daśaratha’s son by dividing himself into four parts
in the wombs of Daśaratha’s three queens. Vishṇu promises to incarnate among humans,
kill Rávaṇa and his allies, and protect the earth for eleven thousand years.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Rishyaśring says he will perform another sacrificial act to secure a son for
the king and proceeds to perform it.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, sages, Brahmá, Stháṇu, Náráyaṇa, supporters of
the universe, divine mothers, and Indra with the Maruts assemble for the sacrifice
and its shares.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Rishyaśring petitions the assembled gods with joined hands that Daśaratha
may have four renowned sons, and the gods grant the request.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The gods report to Brahmá that Rávaṇa, protected by a boon, troubles gods
and sages and distresses the universe.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The gods say that where Rávaṇa remains, the sun loses force, the winds do
not blow, fire ceases to burn, and the ocean ceases to move its waves.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Brahmá states that Rávaṇa asked to be invulnerable to divine sages, Gandharvas,
Yakshas, Rákshasas, and serpents, but said nothing about humans; therefore he
will be destroyed by a human.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Vishṇu arrives arrayed in yellow, riding on Vinateya, and carrying a conch,
discus, and club.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The gods ask Vishṇu to become Daśaratha’s son, dividing himself into four
parts in the wombs of Daśaratha’s three consorts, so that he may conquer Rávaṇa.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Vishṇu promises to abandon the gods’ fear by incarnating among humans, killing
Rávaṇa with his posterity and allies, protecting the earth, and remaining for
eleven thousand years.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Rishyaśring
description: Son of Vibháṇdak, subdued in passions, and performer of the sacrifice
for Daśaratha’s desired sons.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: King Daśaratha
description: Devout, childless king who performs Aśvamedha and seeks offspring through
sacrifice.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Assembled gods and celestials
description: The gods, including Indra and other celestial groups, assemble for
the sacrifice and later petition Brahmá and Vishṇu for relief from Rávaṇa.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Brahmá
description: Giver of blessings who had granted Rávaṇa a boon and identifies the
omission that permits Rávaṇa’s death by a human.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Rávaṇa
description: A Ráksha whose boon makes him invulnerable to several classes of beings
and who oppresses gods, sages, and the universe.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Vishṇu
description: Glorious lord of the world who arrives on Vinateya with conch, discus,
and club and agrees to incarnate among humans to destroy Rávaṇa.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Daśaratha’s three consorts
description: The three queens in whose wombs Vishṇu is asked to divide himself into
four parts and assume sonship.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: sacrificial officiant and petitioner
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: He performs the sacrifice and petitions the gods for Daśaratha’s sons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: childless royal sacrificer
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: He performs Aśvamedha and seeks offspring through divine aid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: divine petitioners
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: They grant the request for sons, complain to Brahmá, and ask Vishṇu to be
their refuge.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: boon-giver and interpreter of vulnerability
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: He had granted Rávaṇa’s protection and explains that humans were omitted
from it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: oppressive antagonist
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: He troubles gods and sages, distresses the universe, and is named as the
enemy to be destroyed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: incarnating divine protector
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: He agrees to become human, destroy Rávaṇa, and protect the earth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: maternal recipients of divine incarnation
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The gods ask Vishṇu to enter their wombs in four parts as Daśaratha’s sons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: sacrifice for offspring
literal_form: Aśvamedha and another sacrificial act performed to obtain sons
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: four sons and fourfold divine division
literal_form: Four sons; Vishṇu divided into four parts
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: joined hands of supplication
literal_form: Joined hands used when Rishyaśring and the gods supplicate
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: fire whose action is stopped by Rávaṇa’s presence
literal_form: Fire ceases to burn
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: ocean waves stilled by Rávaṇa’s presence
literal_form: Rolling ocean ceases to move its waves
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:6
label: serpents included in Rávaṇa’s protection request
literal_form: Serpents named among beings from whom Rávaṇa requested invulnerability
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:7
label: Vishṇu’s weapons and mount
literal_form: Conch, discus, club, and Vinateya as mount
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Sacrifice for Daśaratha’s sons
summary: Rishyaśring performs a sacrifice for Daśaratha; celestial beings assemble,
and the gods grant that the king will have four sons.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: The gods complain to Brahmá about Rávaṇa
summary: The gods approach Brahmá and describe Rávaṇa’s oppression, including the
disruption of sun, wind, fire, and ocean.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Brahmá reveals the human loophole
summary: Brahmá explains that Rávaṇa’s boon did not include protection from humans,
so Rávaṇa can be destroyed by a human.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Vishṇu is asked to incarnate
summary: Vishṇu arrives with his mount and weapons; the gods ask him to divide himself
into four parts and be born as Daśaratha’s sons in order to defeat Rávaṇa.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:2
- fig:7
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Vishṇu promises protection through incarnation
summary: Vishṇu promises to incarnate among humans, destroy Rávaṇa and his supporters,
protect the earth, and remain for eleven thousand years.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:5
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: sacrifice to obtain royal offspring
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
- sacred_birth
basis: Daśaratha’s desire for sons is addressed through Aśvamedha and another sacrifice,
after which the gods grant four sons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage summarizes the ritual context but does not yet narrate the
sons’ actual birth.
- id: motif:2
label: divine incarnation as human child
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_birth
- divine_parent_child
- miraculous_child
basis: The gods ask Vishṇu to become Daśaratha’s son by dividing himself into four
parts in the wombs of the king’s three consorts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage states the requested incarnation and promise, not the full
birth episode.
- id: motif:3
label: boon with overlooked vulnerability
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Brahmá explains that Rávaṇa’s invulnerability request omitted humans, making
death by a human possible.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy has no specific “loophole in invulnerability” category;
divine_judgment is approximate because the passage frames a divine solution to
oppression.
- id: motif:4
label: divine champion restores cosmic order
taxonomy_refs:
- culture_hero
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Vishṇu agrees to incarnate among humans, kill the cosmic oppressor Rávaṇa,
and protect the earth for eleven thousand years; the incarnation is linked to
Daśaratha’s royal line.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents the commission and promise rather than the later
heroic deeds or reign.
- id: motif:5
label: cosmic disturbance under tyrannical being
taxonomy_refs:
- chaos
basis: The gods describe the sun, winds, fire, and ocean as losing or ceasing their
normal actions in Rávaṇa’s presence.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The disturbance is described as effects of fear or presence, not as a
full cosmogonic chaos episode.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage can be compared to the sacred-birth motif family because a divine
being is asked to enter royal wombs and be born as the king’s sons in response
to a ritual request for offspring.
claim_level: same_motif
target: sacred_birth
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The birth itself is not narrated in this passage; only the divine request
and promise are given.
- id: claim:2
claim: The passage can be compared to a chaos-restoration pattern because Rávaṇa’s
oppression disrupts cosmic functions and Vishṇu promises to remove him and protect
the earth.
claim_level: same_function
target: chaos / culture_hero pattern
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The taxonomy mapping is functional rather than exact; the passage does
not describe a creation myth or complete restoration scene.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 57183-57268; opening paragraph of Appendix Section XIII
quote_or_summary: Rishyaśring says he will perform another sacrifice to secure a
son for Daśaratha; many gods and celestial groups assemble for the sacrificial
shares.
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 57183-57268; Rishyaśring’s petition to the gods
quote_or_summary: Rishyaśring petitions the assembled gods with joined hands that
Daśaratha may have four renowned sons, and the gods answer that the king will
obtain his desire.
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 57183-57268; gods’ address to Brahmá
quote_or_summary: The gods tell Brahmá that Rávaṇa, protected by a boon, oppresses
gods, sages, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Asuras, and humans; they describe the sun, winds,
fire, and ocean as failing in his presence.
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 57183-57268; Brahmá’s reply
quote_or_summary: Brahmá recalls that Rávaṇa requested invulnerability to divine
sages, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rákshasas, and serpents, but not to humans; he concludes
Rávaṇa will be destroyed by a human.
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 57183-57268; Vishṇu’s arrival
quote_or_summary: Vishṇu arrives arrayed in yellow, riding Vinateya, and bearing
a conch, discus, and club; the gods adore him and ask him to be their sanctuary.
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 57183-57268; gods’ request to Vishṇu
quote_or_summary: The gods ask Vishṇu, for the good of the universe, to become Daśaratha’s
son by dividing himself into four parts in the wombs of the king’s three consorts
and to conquer Rávaṇa, who is invulnerable to gods.
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 57183-57268; Vishṇu’s promise
quote_or_summary: Vishṇu tells the assembled gods to abandon fear and promises to
incarnate among humans, kill Rávaṇa with his kin and allies, protect the earth,
and remain for eleven thousand years.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The passage directly supports the main figures, actions, sacrifice, boon
loophole, and incarnation motifs. Some taxonomy mappings, especially culture_hero
and divine_judgment, are approximate and need human review.
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. Quotation was minimized in favor of public-domain summaries.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l57183-l57268
passage_sha256=22eb7dff4402222ff11018e19d40bef27cfae06f339ed8f5a3664cc2882b0a3c