batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l8898-l8983
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l8898-l8983
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto LIX. The Sons Of Vasishtha. / Canto LXI. Sunahsepha. / Canto LXVII.
The Breaking Of The Bow. / Canto LXX. The Maidens Sought.; lines 8898-8983
start: '8898'
end: '8983'
translation: The Ramayan of Valmiki
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: "“When kings a daughter’s hand bestow, / ’Tis right their line and fame to
show.”"
summary: King Janak asks the sage to hear his royal lineage before the marriage
arrangements. He recites the succession from Nimi through many kings to Hraśvaromá,
explains his own accession and care for his brother Kuśadhwaj, recounts defeating
Sudhanvá after refusing to yield Śiva’s bow and Sítá, and then offers Sítá to
Ráma and Urmilá to Lakshmaṇ. The passage ends with instructions for cow-gifts,
offerings to spirits, and an auspicious lunar wedding date.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Janak states that when kings bestow a daughter, it is proper to show their
lineage and fame.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Janak recites a line of kings beginning with Nimi and continuing through Mithi,
earlier Janaks, and later descendants down to Hraśvaromá.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: 'Hraśvaromá has two sons: Janak, the elder, and Kuśadhwaj, the younger.'
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Janak’s father anoints Janak to reign, instructs him to care for Kuśadhwaj,
and then goes to dwell in the forest.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Sudhanvá, lord of Sánkáśyá, demands Śiva’s bow and Sítá from Janak, and Janak
refuses both.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Janak and Sudhanvá meet in battle, and Sudhanvá is slain by Janak’s hand.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: After Sudhanvá is slain, Janak installs Kuśadhwaj to reign in Sudhanvá’s place.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: Janak proposes that Sítá be tied to Ráma and Urmilá become Lakshmaṇ’s bride.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: The passage instructs that cows be given as the dowry of each royal spouse,
offerings be paid to the spirits, and the wedding day be solemnized.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: The wedding is to be set for a future night identified by lunar mansions Maghá
and second Phálguni.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: King Janak
description: Speaker who recites his lineage, describes his accession and battle
with Sudhanvá, and offers Sítá and Urmilá in marriage.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: The saint / mighty Sage
description: A supremely wise saint addressed by Janak and asked to hear the origin
of Janak’s race.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Nimi
description: A virtuous king named as the beginning ancestor in Janak’s recited
pedigree.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Mithi
description: Son and heir of Nimi in the genealogy.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Hraśvaromá
description: Janak’s father, who has two sons, anoints Janak, commands him to care
for Kuśadhwaj, and goes to the forest.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Kuśadhwaj
description: Janak’s younger brother, held dear by Janak and later installed to
reign after Sudhanvá is slain.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Sudhanvá
description: Mighty lord of Sánkáśyá who threatens siege and sword, demands Śiva’s
bow and Sítá, and is slain in battle by Janak.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Sítá
description: Lotus-eyed maiden sought by Sudhanvá and later offered by Janak as
bride to Ráma.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Urmilá
description: Maiden offered by Janak as bride to Lakshmaṇ.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Ráma
description: Bridegroom to whom Janak proposes Sítá be tied.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Lakshmaṇ
description: Bridegroom to whom Janak proposes Urmilá be given as bride.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Royal ancestors of Janak
description: Named royal succession including Udávasu, Nandivardhan, Suketu, Devarát,
Vrihadratha, Mahábír, Sudhriti, Dhrisṭaketu, Haryaśva, Maru, Pratíndhak, Kírtiratha,
Devamidha, Vibudh, Mahándhrak, Kírtirát, Maháromá, and Swarṇaromá.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
roles:
- id: role:1
label: genealogical speaker
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Janak asks the sage to hear his race’s origin and recites the lineage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: royal father arranging marriages
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Janak says his spirit joys to give the maidens to the boys and names the
pairings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:3
label: defender of coveted prizes
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Janak refuses to yield Śiva’s bow and Sítá to Sudhanvá and defeats him in
battle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: sage addressee
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Janak addresses a supremely wise saint and later a mighty sage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: royal ancestor in pedigree
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:12
basis: These figures are named in the succession Janak recites to establish his
race.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: retiring king and father
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Hraśvaromá anoints Janak, instructs him about Kuśadhwaj, and goes to the
forest.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: younger brother
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Janak identifies Kuśadhwaj as younger and himself as elder.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: installed ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Janak sanctifies Kuśadhwaj to reign after Sudhanvá is slain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: rival claimant and defeated enemy
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Sudhanvá threatens war, demands Śiva’s bow and Sítá, and falls in battle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: royal bride
assigned_to:
- fig:8
- fig:9
basis: Sítá is to be tied to Ráma and Urmilá is to be Lakshmaṇ’s bride.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: royal bridegroom
assigned_to:
- fig:10
- fig:11
basis: Ráma and Lakshmaṇ are named as the boys to whom the maidens are to be given.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Śiva’s bow
literal_form: incomparable bow attributed to Śiva
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: cow-gift dowry
literal_form: cows given as dowry for each royal spouse
associated_figures:
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:3
label: offerings to spirits
literal_form: due offerings paid to spirits before solemnizing the wedding day
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:4
label: auspicious lunar timing
literal_form: moon in Maghá and later in second Phálguni for the nuptial rites
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:5
label: forest retirement
literal_form: the father leaves the throne and goes to dwell in the forest
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Janak introduces the need for pedigree
summary: Janak tells the sage that a royal lineage should be shown when daughters
are given in marriage.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Royal genealogy recited
summary: Janak lists a succession of kings from Nimi through many descendants to
Hraśvaromá and his two sons.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:12
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Accession and care for the younger brother
summary: Janak’s father appoints him king, instructs him to care for Kuśadhwaj,
retires to the forest, and dies; Janak says he sustained the burden of rule.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Conflict over Śiva’s bow and Sítá
summary: Sudhanvá demands Śiva’s bow and Sítá; Janak refuses, battles him, and kills
him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Kuśadhwaj installed
summary: After Sudhanvá’s death, Janak consecrates Kuśadhwaj to reign in Sudhanvá’s
place.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:6
label: Marriage arrangements and ritual timing
summary: Janak offers Sítá to Ráma and Urmilá to Lakshmaṇ, then prescribes cow-gifts,
offerings to spirits, and an auspicious lunar date for the wedding rites.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: royal pedigree legitimates marriage alliance
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Janak explicitly says a king should show lineage and fame when bestowing
a daughter, then recites his royal descent before the marriages.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents genealogy and marriage together, but does not explicitly
use the term legitimacy.
- id: motif:2
label: arranged royal sacred marriage
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_marriage
basis: The passage pairs Sítá with Ráma and Urmilá with Lakshmaṇ and frames the
unions with ritual dowry, offerings, and auspicious lunar timing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage describes royal nuptials and ritual timing; broader theological
or cosmic meanings of the marriages are not stated within this excerpt.
- id: motif:3
label: ritual exchange accompanying marriage
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The passage requires cows as dowry for each royal spouse and offerings to
spirits before the wedding day is solemnized.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The exchange is specified as dowry and offerings; no further reciprocal
transaction is described in this passage.
- id: motif:4
label: martial defense of bride and sacred object
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Sudhanvá demands Śiva’s bow and Sítá, Janak refuses, and the conflict is
resolved by battle in which Sudhanvá is slain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a local candidate motif without an available taxonomy reference;
the passage does not narrate a bride contest here, only a demand and battle.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: lines 8898-8907
quote_or_summary: Janak asks the saint to hear his race’s origin and says that when
kings bestow a daughter, it is right to show their line and fame.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 8908-8940
quote_or_summary: Janak recites the genealogy from Nimi and Mithi through a long
sequence of kings, including Devarát, Mahábír, Haryaśva, Kírtiratha, Mahándhrak,
Kírtirát, Maháromá, and Swarṇaromá.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 8941-8944
quote_or_summary: 'Hraśvaromá is said to have two sons by his royal consort: Janak
as elder and Kuśadhwaj as the next-born.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 8945-8953
quote_or_summary: Janak says his father anointed him to reign, told him to care
for his brother, went to the forest, and that Janak bore the burden of rule according
to law.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 8954-8960
quote_or_summary: Sudhanvá of Sánkáśyá threatens siege and sword and demands Śiva’s
incomparable bow and lotus-eyed Sítá; Janak refuses both.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 8961-8964
quote_or_summary: Janak’s host meets the enemy host in battle, and Sudhanvá falls,
slain by Janak’s single hand.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 8965-8969
quote_or_summary: After Sánkáśyá’s lord is slain, Janak sanctifies his brother Kuśadhwaj
according to law to reign in Sudhanvá’s place.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:8
type: quote
locator: lines 8970-8975
quote_or_summary: 'Janak says he joys to give the maidens to the boys: “Let Sítá
be to Ráma tied. / And Urmilá be Lakshmaṇ’s bride.”'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation used.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 8976-8979
quote_or_summary: The passage instructs the king first to give cows as dowry for
each royal spouse, pay offerings to spirits, and solemnize the wedding day.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 8980-8983
quote_or_summary: The moon is described as being in Maghá that night and in second
Phálguni on the third night, which is designated as the prosperous day for the
nuptial rites.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif labels are limited
to passage-supported patterns and available taxonomy references; comparison claims
are omitted because the passage itself does not make a comparative claim.
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 external sources or unstated Ramayana context were used. Available symbol taxonomy did not include bow, moon, cow, or dowry, so symbol taxonomy references are empty.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l8898-l8983
passage_sha256=62838347c2d334d5d0208fd55ce5cb66adb042f6c763207f9a56780641e1a4f8