batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l7798-l7982
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l7798-l7982
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto LVII. Trisanku. / Canto LVIII. Trisanku Cursed. / Canto LIX. The Sons
Of Vasishtha. / Canto LXI. Sunahsepha.; lines 7798-7982
start: '7798'
end: '7982'
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: Viśvámitra leaves the southern region for Pushkar and performs austerities.
King Ambarísha’s sacrificial horse is taken by Indra, and a Bráhman tells him
that a horse or human victim is needed. Ambarísha seeks to buy a human victim
and approaches the sage Richíka. Richíka refuses to sell his eldest son, and the
mother refuses to give the youngest; the middle son, Śunahśepha, offers himself
and is taken by the king. At Pushkar lake Śunahśepha appeals to his uncle Viśvámitra
for rescue. Viśvámitra asks his own sons to die in Śunahśepha’s place; they refuse
and are cursed. Viśvámitra instructs Śunahśepha in hymns to recite when bound
at Viṣṇu’s post, promising preservation and freedom.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Viśvámitra proposes leaving the southern land and going west to Pushkar’s
wood to continue austerities without obstruction.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Viśvámitra dwells in Pushkar’s wood, lives on roots and fruit, and performs
severe penance.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: King Ambarísha begins planning a sacrificial rite, but Indra forcibly removes
the horse intended for slaughter.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: A Bráhman tells Ambarísha that the rite requires either the missing horse
or a man to bleed.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Ambarísha offers cattle and searches many lands for a victim for the sacrifice.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: At Bhrigu’s sacred height, Ambarísha finds the sage Richíka with his wife
and children beneath holy boughs.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Ambarísha asks Richíka to give him a son as sacrificial victim in exchange
for a hundred thousand cattle.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: Richíka refuses to sell his eldest son, and the mother refuses to give up
her youngest son.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Śunahśepha, the middle son, says that since the eldest and youngest are withheld,
he is the son who comes between and may be taken by the king.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: Ambarísha takes Śunahśepha in his chariot and returns toward the sacrificial
rite.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:11
text: At noon on the bank of Pushkar’s lake, Śunahśepha sees his uncle Viśvámitra
among hermits performing austerities.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:12
text: Śunahśepha appeals to Viśvámitra as a savior and asks to be preserved from
fear and pain while also allowing the king’s purpose to be fulfilled.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:13
text: Viśvámitra asks his sons to die as sacrificial victims in order to save the
friendless youth, complete the rite, satisfy Agni, and obey their father.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:14
text: Madhushyand and the other sons refuse, comparing the request to feeding on
one’s own flesh.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: obs:15
text: Viśvámitra curses his sons to eat dog flesh for a thousand years through many
births on earth.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: obs:16
text: Viśvámitra instructs Śunahśepha to recite two hymns of praise when bound in
sacred fetters, crowned with a purple garland, and tied at Viṣṇu’s post.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: obs:17
text: Viśvámitra says the hymns will make Śunahśepha lord of his wish, preserved,
and free.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: obs:18
text: Śunahśepha learns the hymns and urges Ambarísha to continue the journey quickly
so the lustral rites are not delayed.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Viśvámitra
description: A glorious saint and hermit who moves to Pushkar for austerities, hears
Śunahśepha’s plea, curses his sons, and gives Śunahśepha hymns for deliverance.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:8
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:12
- ev:13
- ev:15
- ev:16
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Ambarísha
description: King of Ayodhyá and member of Ikshváku’s line who seeks a sacrificial
victim after the loss of the horse.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:10
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Indra
description: The deity who takes away by force the horse intended for Ambarísha’s
sacrifice.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Bráhman priest
description: The Bráhman who informs Ambarísha that the lost victim creates a flaw
and that a horse or man is required.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Richíka
description: A Bráhman sage on Bhrigu’s sacred height, father of Śunahśepha, who
refuses to sell his eldest son.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Richíka’s wife / Śunahśepha’s mother
description: The mother who refuses to abandon her youngest child, whom she especially
loves.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Śunahśepha
description: The middle son of Richíka, taken by Ambarísha as sacrificial victim
and later instructed by Viśvámitra in hymns for preservation.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:12
- ev:16
- ev:17
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Madhushyand and Viśvámitra’s other sons
description: Viśvámitra’s sons who refuse to die in Śunahśepha’s place and are cursed
by their father.
role_refs:
- role:11
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Agni
description: Named as Lord Agni, whose hunger would be fed by sacrificial victims.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:16
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Viṣṇu
description: Named in connection with the post at which Śunahśepha is to stand tied
during the rite.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
roles:
- id: role:1
label: ascetic guide
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Viśvámitra directs movement to Pushkar and practices austerities there.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: sacrificing king
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Ambarísha plans and pursues completion of a sacrificial rite.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: remover of sacrificial victim
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Indra forcibly takes away the horse to be slain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: buyer of substitute victim
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Ambarísha offers cattle to obtain a human victim for the sacrifice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:5
label: ritual adviser
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The Bráhman explains the ritual problem and says a horse or man is needed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: parent withholding child
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:6
basis: Richíka refuses to sell the eldest son, and the mother refuses to give the
youngest.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:7
label: self-offered middle son
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Śunahśepha identifies himself as the middle son and tells the king to take
him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:8
label: protector of suppliant
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Śunahśepha appeals to Viśvámitra for preservation, and Viśvámitra gives saving
aid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- ev:16
- id: role:9
label: father who curses disobedient sons
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Viśvámitra curses his sons after they refuse his command.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: role:10
label: threatened sacrificial victim
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Śunahśepha is taken to be the human victim and is described as bound at the
sacrificial post.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:16
- id: role:11
label: refusers of substitutionary death
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Viśvámitra’s sons refuse to die in place of Śunahśepha.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: role:12
label: cursed descendants
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Viśvámitra curses them to eat dog flesh through many births.
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: role:13
label: recipient of sacrificial feeding
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Viśvámitra says the victims would feed Lord Agni’s hunger and later tells
Śunahśepha to glorify Agni.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:16
- id: role:14
label: deity associated with ritual post
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Śunahśepha is to stand tied at Viṣṇu’s post.
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Pushkar wood
literal_form: A western wood where hermits rest and where Viśvámitra performs austerities.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: Pushkar lake
literal_form: The lake bank where Ambarísha halts and Śunahśepha sees Viśvámitra.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:3
label: sacrificial horse
literal_form: The charger intended to be slain in Ambarísha’s rite and taken by
Indra.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: cattle payment
literal_form: A thousand cattle or a hundred thousand cattle offered as the price
for a human victim.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: human sacrificial victim
literal_form: A man or son required to bleed in place of the missing horse.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:16
- id: sym:6
label: sacred fetters
literal_form: Bindings in which Śunahśepha is to be held during the rite.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: sym:7
label: purple garland
literal_form: A garland to be worn by Śunahśepha when bound at the post.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: sym:8
label: Viṣṇu’s post
literal_form: The ritual post at which Śunahśepha is to stand tied.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: sym:9
label: hymns of holy praise
literal_form: Two hymns taught by Viśvámitra to Śunahśepha for recitation during
the rite.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- ev:17
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Viśvámitra goes to Pushkar
summary: Viśvámitra advises leaving the obstructive southern region, goes west to
Pushkar’s wood, and undertakes austere penance there.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Loss of the sacrificial horse
summary: Ambarísha’s sacrifice is endangered when Indra takes the horse, and a Bráhman
says a horse or human victim is required.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Search and purchase of a human victim
summary: Ambarísha searches many places, reaches Richíka’s hermitage, and asks to
buy one of the sage’s sons for the sacrifice.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: The middle son is taken
summary: The father refuses the eldest and the mother refuses the youngest; Śunahśepha,
the middle son, offers himself and is taken away in the king’s chariot.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: scene:5
label: Śunahśepha’s plea at Pushkar lake
summary: At the lake bank, Śunahśepha sees Viśvámitra among ascetics and begs him
to save him while allowing the king’s rite to be fulfilled.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: scene:6
label: Viśvámitra’s sons refuse substitution
summary: Viśvámitra asks his sons to die as victims in Śunahśepha’s place; they
refuse, and he curses them to degraded births and diet.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: scene:7
label: Instruction in saving hymns
summary: Viśvámitra teaches Śunahśepha hymns to recite while bound at Viṣṇu’s post
with sacred fetters and a purple garland, promising preservation and freedom.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
- sym:8
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- ev:17
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: substitutionary human sacrifice
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: A lost sacrificial horse creates a demand for a human victim, Śunahśepha
is bought as the substitute, and Viśvámitra later asks his sons to die in his
place.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:13
confidence: high
cautions: The passage stops before the final outcome of the rite.
- id: motif:2
label: sacred exchange for a victim
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Ambarísha offers cattle to purchase a son from Richíka as the victim required
for ritual completion.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The transaction is narrated as a purchase for ritual need; broader symbolic
meaning is not stated in the passage.
- id: motif:3
label: suppliant saved by sacred speech
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Śunahśepha appeals to Viśvámitra, who teaches him hymns that are promised
to preserve and free him when recited during the sacrifice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- ev:16
- ev:17
confidence: medium
cautions: The actual recitation and rescue occur after the supplied passage.
- id: motif:4
label: ascetic curse on disobedient sons
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: After Viśvámitra’s sons refuse his command to die for Śunahśepha, he curses
them to eat dog flesh through many births.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
confidence: medium
cautions: The curse is issued by a sage rather than directly by a deity; taxonomy
fit is approximate.
- id: motif:5
label: wish to rise to heaven through preserved life and austerity
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
basis: Śunahśepha asks to live out his days, share in austerities, and rise to heaven.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
confidence: low
cautions: This is a stated hope within a plea, not the main enacted plot of the
passage.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 7798-7812
quote_or_summary: Viśvámitra tells the dwellers of the shade that the southern land
obstructs their rites and proposes going west to Pushkar’s wood for austerities.
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 7813-7817
quote_or_summary: Viśvámitra makes his dwelling in Pushkar’s wood, lives on roots
and fruit, and performs stern penance.
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 7818-7825
quote_or_summary: King Ambarísha begins a sacrifice, and Indra forcibly takes away
the charger that the king was going to slay.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: quote
locator: lines 7826-7836
quote_or_summary: "“we need / The charger, or a man to bleed.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 7837-7846
quote_or_summary: Ambarísha offers cattle and searches distant lands, peoples, towns,
groves, and hermitages for a sacrificial victim.
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 7847-7852
quote_or_summary: At Bhrigu’s sacred height, Ambarísha finds the sage Richíka seated
beneath holy boughs with his children and wife.
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 7853-7864
quote_or_summary: Ambarísha reverently asks Richíka to give one son as a sacrificial
victim in exchange for a hundred thousand cattle.
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 7865-7883
quote_or_summary: Richíka says his eldest son will not be sold for any wealth; the
mother says she especially loves and will not forsake the youngest.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: lines 7884-7891
quote_or_summary: "“My sire withholds his eldest son, / My mother keeps her youngest
one: / Then take me with thee, King.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 7892-7895
quote_or_summary: The king joyfully takes the purchased youth into his chariot and
hastens back to finish the rites.
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 7898-7908
quote_or_summary: At noon on the bank of Pushkar’s lake, Śunahśepha leaves the resting
king and sees his uncle Viśvámitra among hermits under the trees.
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 7909-7928
quote_or_summary: Śunahśepha, distressed and weeping, begs Viśvámitra to save him,
let the king obtain his will, preserve his life, and allow him to rise to heaven.
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 7929-7949
quote_or_summary: Viśvámitra calls his sons and asks them to die as victims to save
the suppliant youth, complete the rite, feed Agni, and obey their father.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:14
type: quote
locator: lines 7950-7955
quote_or_summary: "“What! aid to others’ sons afford, / And leave thine own to die,
my lord!”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
- id: ev:15
type: summary
locator: lines 7956-7967
quote_or_summary: Angered by their reply, Viśvámitra curses his sons to eat dog
flesh for a thousand years through many births on earth.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:16
type: summary
locator: lines 7968-7978
quote_or_summary: Viśvámitra tells Śunahśepha to praise Agni with two hymns when
bound in sacred fetters, crowned with a purple garland, and tied at Viṣṇu’s post;
he promises preservation and freedom.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:17
type: summary
locator: lines 7979-7982
quote_or_summary: Śunahśepha learns the hymns and tells Ambarísha to resume the
journey quickly so the lustral rites are not delayed.
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: high
notes: The main narrative actions and figures are explicit. Motif assignments are
limited to supplied taxonomy and remain candidates pending human review. No comparison
claims were added because the passage itself does not make comparative claims.
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. Taxonomy references were applied only where directly supported or cautiously approximate.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l7798-l7982
passage_sha256=b857e317d7ff29b4ddb87395e1c84bf02a82efec7a05e50ca2e7a1ad5e855fe9