batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l8463-l8633
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l8463-l8633
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto LVIII. Trisanku Cursed. / Canto LIX. The Sons Of Vasishtha. / Canto
LXI. Sunahsepha. / Canto LXVII. The Breaking Of The Bow.; lines 8463-8633
start: '8463'
end: '8633'
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: King Janak has a great heavenly bow brought in an iron eight-wheeled chest.
He explains that gods and other beings have failed to lift, string, or draw it.
At the hermit's prompting, Rama lifts the bow, strings it, and breaks it, causing
a terrifying sound and earth-shaking shock. Janak then declares that Sita will
be Rama's wife according to his vow that the bride should go to the hero who proved
his worth. Envoys travel to Ayodhya to inform Dasaratha, who rejoices and prepares
to go to Janak's city.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: King Janak orders the great bow, adorned with flowers and scents, to be brought
before the assembly.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Five thousand youths move an eight-wheeled iron chest containing the heavenly
bow.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Janak states that previous kings and many classes of superhuman beings could
not overcome the bow's strength.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The hermit tells Rama to look at the bow, and Rama opens the chest and puts
his hand on it.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Rama raises the weapon by its middle before the court and draws the string
until the bow breaks in two.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The breaking of the bow produces a terrifying clang, the earth shakes, and
most of the people fall senseless.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Janak declares that Rama has shown peerless might and that Sita shall be Rama's
wife.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Janak sends ministers to Ayodhya with news and a request that Dasaratha come
to his city.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: The envoys tell Dasaratha that Janak had decreed his child would be the prize
of valor and that Rama broke the bow in a vast assembly.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Dasaratha rejoices and proposes that he and his court travel to Janak's city.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: King Janak
description: King of Videha who preserves the bow, sets the vow concerning Sita,
and sends envoys to Ayodhya.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Rama
description: Raghu's son who lifts, strings, and breaks the heavenly bow and is
declared Sita's bridegroom.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: The hermit / Brahman sage / Visvamitra
description: Holy seer who asks for the bow to be produced, tells Rama to behold
it, and consents to Janak's message.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Sita
description: Janak's child, promised to the hero who wins her by worth, and declared
to be Rama's wife.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Five thousand youths / servants
description: Janak's attendants who bring the iron chest containing the bow.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Court assembly / people
description: The crowd before whom Rama raises and breaks the bow; most fall senseless
at the sound.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Janak's ministers / envoys
description: Messengers sent from Janak to Ayodhya who report Rama's deed and invite
Dasaratha.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Dasaratha
description: King of Ayodhya and father of Rama and Lakshman; receives Janak's envoys
and prepares to depart.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Lakshman
description: Dasaratha's son, dwelling among the Videhans under Visvamitra's protection.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Vamadeva, Vasishtha, priests, saints, and councillors
description: Members of Dasaratha's court consulted when the envoys' message is
received.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: king
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:8
basis: Janak and Dasaratha are both addressed or described as kings ruling their
respective cities or peoples.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:2
label: heroic bow-breaker
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Rama lifts, draws, and breaks the bow before the assembled court.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: holy seer and ritual sponsor
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The hermit requests the bow, directs Rama to see it, and his consent is invoked
in arranging the marriage message.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:4
label: bride promised by vow
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Janak says Sita will be Rama's wife and that his promise was that the bride
should be gained by heroic worth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:5
label: father who sets the bridegroom test
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Janak's speech links Sita's marriage to the successful feat with the bow.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: prince
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:9
basis: Rama and Lakshman are described as royal sons under Visvamitra's protection.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: bearers of the bow chest
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The youths propel the ponderous eight-wheeled chest into the assembly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:8
label: witnessing assembly
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Rama performs the feat before the thousands of the court and the envoys later
emphasize the vast assembly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: messengers
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Janak sends ministers to Ayodhya, where they deliver his words to Dasaratha.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:10
label: father of the victorious prince
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The envoys identify Rama as Dasaratha's son and Dasaratha rejoices for his
children.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:11
label: royal advisers and priests
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Dasaratha calls priests, saints, lords, and councillors to consider Janak's
proposal.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: heavenly bow
literal_form: A mighty bow, called heavenly and a treasure from the skies, too strong
for kings and superhuman beings, broken by Rama.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: eight-wheeled iron chest
literal_form: A ponderous iron chest with eight wheels that holds the heavenly bow.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: bow-breaking sound and earth-shock
literal_form: An awful clang compared to tempests, accompanied by the shaking of
the earth and the collapse of the people.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: suppliant joined palms
literal_form: Palm-to-palm gesture used by Janak before the strangers and by the
envoys before Dasaratha.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: flying cars
literal_form: Vehicles in which Janak proposes that counsellors carry the news to
Ayodhya.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: The bow is brought to Janak's court
summary: At the sage's request, Janak orders the decorated bow to be brought; five
thousand youths move the iron eight-wheeled chest into the assembly.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Janak describes the impossible bow
summary: Janak tells the sage and princes that kings, gods, spirits, and other beings
have failed to lift, string, or draw the bow.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Rama breaks the bow
summary: Prompted by the hermit, Rama opens the chest, lifts the bow before the
court, draws the string, and breaks the bow, causing a frightening sound and earthquake-like
shock.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Janak awards Sita to Rama
summary: After the shock passes, Janak praises Rama's deed, declares Sita shall
be his wife, and asks permission to send word to Ayodhya.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Envoys report the bow-breaking to Dasaratha
summary: Janak's envoys reach Ayodhya, tell Dasaratha of Janak's vow and Rama's
bow-breaking, and request that he come with priests and guides.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Dasaratha prepares to travel
summary: Dasaratha rejoices, consults priests, saints, and councillors, and announces
that they will depart the next day.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Bride won by feat of strength
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_marriage
basis: Janak's vow makes Sita's marriage depend on the hero who proves his worth
by the bow feat, and he declares Sita to be Rama's wife after Rama breaks the
bow.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents a royal marriage arranged by a test of valor; the
broader sacred significance of the marriage is not elaborated in this excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: Impossible weapon test identifies the worthy hero
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
basis: Janak says the bow has defeated kings and superhuman beings, but Rama lifts,
strings, and breaks it in public.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not explicitly call this an initiation; the label is
based on the structure of a public qualifying trial.
- id: motif:3
label: Public feat legitimates royal alliance
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Rama's feat before the assembly leads Janak to affirm his promise and send
formal envoys to Dasaratha for the marriage alliance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage concerns marriage legitimacy and inter-royal alliance rather
than coronation or succession.
- id: motif:4
label: Supernatural-scale sign accompanies heroic deed
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The bow-breaking produces a storm-like clang, shakes the earth, and overcomes
most witnesses.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: No available taxonomy reference precisely matches this sign pattern.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 8463-8482
quote_or_summary: Janak orders the decorated bow brought; five thousand youths propel
the ponderous eight-wheeled iron chest that holds it.
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 8483-8503
quote_or_summary: Janak says the bow has been prized by his line, has resisted former
kings, and cannot be managed by gods, spirits, bards, snakes, or human prowess.
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 8504-8531
quote_or_summary: The hermit tells Rama to behold the bow; Rama opens the chest,
lifts the weapon, draws the string, breaks the bow in two, and the sound shakes
the earth and fells the people.
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 8532-8564
quote_or_summary: Janak praises Rama's peerless might, says Sita shall be Rama's
wife, and sends ministers to Ayodhya to bring Dasaratha news and invitation.
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 8565-8611
quote_or_summary: Janak's envoys reach Ayodhya and report that his decree made his
child the prize of valor; Rama broke the sky-given bow in a vast assembly, so
Sita is his by right.
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 8612-8633
quote_or_summary: Dasaratha rejoices, tells his priests and councillors that Janak
wishes to marry his daughter to Rama, and announces departure for Janak's city
on the next day.
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: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is strongly supported by the supplied passage. Motif taxonomy
assignment is cautious because the passage gives a heroic marriage test and royal
alliance but does not explicitly classify these as sacred marriage, initiation,
or royal legitimacy motifs.
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: |-
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not explicitly support comparison to another text, tradition, or motif family beyond candidate motif classification.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l8463-l8633
passage_sha256=0fa87841df5a909e60ebc2cae584c7e875617dc686a95dc62cae0a178f512728