batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l9068-l9216
---
record_id: batch.motif.hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg-l9068-l9216
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
passage_locator:
label: Canto LXVII. The Breaking Of The Bow. / Canto LXX. The Maidens Sought. /
Canto LXXII. The Gift Of Kine. / Canto LXXIII. The Nuptials.; lines 9068-9216
start: '9068'
end: '9216'
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: Yudhajit arrives with greetings from the Kekaya king. The next morning
Dasaratha, his sons, and the sages go to the sacrificial ground for the marriage
rites. Janak welcomes them, and Vasistha, with Visvamitra and Satananda, prepares
the altar and offerings. Janak gives Sita to Rama before the fire, sprinkles holy
water, and instructs the other princes to take the hands of Urmila, Mandavi, and
Srutakirti. The couples circumambulate the fire, Janak, the sages, and the sacred
ground. Celestial flowers, music, and dancing mark the wedding, and the princes
lead their brides home.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Yudhajit, Bharat's uncle and son of the lord of Kekaya, arrives and conveys
greetings and concern for health from the Kekaya king.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Dasaratha spends the night with his children and in the morning goes behind
Vasistha and the others to the prepared ground for rites.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: At the lucky hour called Victory, Rama comes after vow and prayer with the
three other youths in bright attire and stands beside Dasaratha.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Vasistha states that the giver and taker of the maidens' hands must ratify
a mutual oath and asks Janak to celebrate the marriage rites.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Janak says the maidens are within the sacrificial ground, shining like fire,
and says there should be no delay in the rites.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Vasistha, assisted by Visvamitra and Satananda, makes an altar, arranges ritual
implements and offerings, spreads holy grass, recites prayers, and lays the offering
in the flame.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Janak takes Sita by the hand, places her before the fire facing Rama, and
gives her to Rama as his bride and companion in duty.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: Janak sprinkles holy dew over Sita, and gods and saints acclaim the act.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Janak instructs Lakshman to take Urmila, Bharat to take Mandavi, and Satrughna
to take Srutakirti by the hand.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: The four princes obey and place the maidens' hands in their own.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:11
text: The couples walk with ordered, reverent steps around the fire, Janak, the
sages, and the sacred ground.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:12
text: Flowers fall from the sky, celestial voices and instruments sound, and nymphs
dance on the princes' wedding day.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:13
text: Raghu's sons circle the fire three times and then lead their brides homeward
to the palace prepared by Janak.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Yudhajit
description: Bharat's uncle, son of the lord of Kekaya, who comes bearing a message
from his father.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: King Dasaratha
description: King of Ayodhya, father of the princes, present for the nuptial rites.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Rama
description: Son of Dasaratha, dressed for the marriage rite and given Sita as bride.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:13
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Vasistha
description: Sage who directs the marriage rite and prepares the altar and offering.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: King Janak
description: King of Mithila and father of Sita, giver of the maidens' hands in
marriage.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Sita
description: Janak's daughter, placed before the fire facing Rama and given to him
as bride.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Lakshman
description: Prince instructed to take Urmila as bride.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Urmila
description: Maiden offered to Lakshman as bride.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Bharat
description: Prince instructed to take Mandavi as bride; nephew of Yudhajit.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Mandavi
description: Maiden offered to Bharat as bride.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Satrughna
description: Prince instructed to take Srutakirti as bride.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Srutakirti
description: Maiden offered to Satrughna as bride.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Visvamitra
description: Sage assisting Vasistha in the nuptial rites.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Satananda
description: Sage assisting Vasistha in the nuptial rites.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Gods and saints
description: Divine and holy witnesses who cry approval after Sita is bestowed.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:16
name_or_label: Nymphs
description: Celestial dancers who dance during the wedding celebration.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
roles:
- id: role:1
label: messenger-kin
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Yudhajit comes as Bharat's uncle with a message from the Kekaya king.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: father of bridegrooms
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Dasaratha stands with his sons as the taker in the marriage arrangement.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:3
label: bridegroom-prince
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:11
basis: The four princes take the maidens' hands and circle the fire with their brides.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:13
- id: role:4
label: Raghu's sons
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:11
basis: The passage refers to the bridegrooms collectively as Raghu's sons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: role:5
label: officiating sage
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Vasistha calls for the rite and prepares the altar and offering.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: giver of brides
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Janak presents Sita to Rama and instructs the other princes to take the hands
of the other maidens.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: role:7
label: bride
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:8
- fig:10
- fig:12
basis: The maidens are given or offered to the princes as brides.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:8
label: ritual assistant
assigned_to:
- fig:13
- fig:14
basis: Visvamitra and Satananda aid Vasistha in performing the rites.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: divine approver
assigned_to:
- fig:15
basis: Gods and saints acclaim Janak's bestowal of Sita with a joyous cry.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:10
label: celestial celebrant
assigned_to:
- fig:16
basis: Nymphs dance in response to music on the wedding day.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: sacrificial fire
literal_form: flame/fire at the wedding altar
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:11
- ev:13
- id: sym:2
label: joined hands
literal_form: bride's hand placed in bridegroom's hand
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: sym:3
label: holy dew
literal_form: sacred drops sprinkled over Sita
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:4
label: ritual altar and offerings
literal_form: altar with flowers, golden ladles, vases, incense, shell-bowls, rice,
corn, holy grass, and flame
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:13
- fig:14
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: celestial flower rain
literal_form: flowery flood descending from the skies
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:11
- fig:16
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: sym:6
label: triple circumambulation
literal_form: Raghu's sons circle the fire three times
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Yudhajit arrives with Kekaya message
summary: Yudhajit arrives, asks after Dasaratha's health, and explains that the
Kekaya king wishes to see Bharat and sent greetings.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:9
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Procession to the nuptial ground
summary: Dasaratha goes in the morning with his children and the sages to the prepared
rite-ground, where Rama and the three youths stand in bright attire after vows
and prayers.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:11
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Janak and Vasistha prepare for the marriage rites
summary: Vasistha calls for mutual oaths and Janak invites the rites to proceed
in the sacrificial ground where the maidens wait.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Altar and offering prepared
summary: Vasistha, aided by Visvamitra and Satananda, prepares the altar with ritual
vessels, offerings, incense, holy grass, prayers, and an offering in the flame.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:13
- fig:14
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Sita given to Rama
summary: Janak brings Sita by the hand, places her before the fire facing Rama,
gives her to Rama as bride, joins hand to hand, and sprinkles sacred drops over
her as gods and saints approve.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:15
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Other brides given to the princes
summary: Janak directs Lakshman, Bharat, and Satrughna to take the hands of Urmila,
Mandavi, and Srutakirti, and the youths obey.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: scene:7
label: Circumambulation and celestial celebration
summary: The couples circumambulate the fire, Janak, sages, and sacred ground; flowers
fall from the sky, celestial music sounds, nymphs dance, and the bridegrooms circle
the fire three times before leading their brides home.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:16
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: sacred marriage performed before ritual fire
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_marriage
basis: The passage centers on marriages solemnized by vows, an altar, offering in
flame, hand-taking, sprinkling, and circumambulation of the fire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:11
- ev:13
confidence: high
cautions: The passage describes royal human marriages with divine approval; the
taxonomy label is applied to the sacralized ritual form, not necessarily to a
marriage between deities.
- id: motif:2
label: royal alliance through arranged marriages
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Kings and sages arrange the giving and taking of royal daughters and sons,
with mutual oath and public ritual validation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage implies dynastic alliance and legitimacy through royal marriage,
but does not explicitly state political consequences.
- id: motif:3
label: sacred exchange of bride-gift and vow
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Vasistha frames the rite as an exchange between giver and taker ratified
by mutual oath, and Janak gives the brides' hands to the princes.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: No material bride-price or reciprocal gift is described in this passage;
the exchange is the ritual giving and taking of brides.
- id: motif:4
label: celestial approval of ritual union
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_marriage
basis: Gods and saints acclaim the bestowal of Sita, and flowers, music, and dancing
descend or sound from the celestial realm during the wedding.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents omens of approval but does not elaborate a separate
doctrinal meaning.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 9068-9093
quote_or_summary: Yudhajit, Bharat's uncle and son of the Kekaya lord, arrives,
asks after Dasaratha's health, brings greetings, and says the Kekaya king wishes
to see Bharat.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 9098-9101
quote_or_summary: After spending the night with his children, Dasaratha goes in
the morning behind Vasistha and the others to the fair ground prepared for rites.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 9102-9108
quote_or_summary: At the lucky hour called Victory, Rama comes after vow and prayer
for nuptial bliss with three youths in bright attire and stands beside his father.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 9109-9118
quote_or_summary: Vasistha tells Janak that Dasaratha has prayed and vowed with
his sons waiting, and says giver and taker of the maidens' hands must ratify a
mutual oath before the marriage rites are celebrated.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 9119-9132
quote_or_summary: Janak replies that the maidens are in the sacrificial ground,
their vows and prayers complete, shining like fire, and asks that the nuptial
rites not be delayed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 9141-9162
quote_or_summary: Vasistha, aided by Visvamitra and Satananda, prepares the altar
with flowers, vessels, incense, rice, corn, holy grass, prayers, and lays the
offering in the flame.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 9163-9174
quote_or_summary: Janak draws Sita by the hand, places her before the fire facing
Rama, and tells Rama to take her from her father as bride and companion in duty,
joining hand to hand.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 9175-9181
quote_or_summary: Janak sprinkles holy dew over Sita, gods and saints cry approval,
and Janak rejoices after bestowing his daughter.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 9182-9193
quote_or_summary: Janak instructs Lakshman to take Urmila, Bharat to take Mandavi,
and Satrughna to take Srutakirti, urging the sons of Raghu to be gentle and true
to their wives and vows.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 9195-9196
quote_or_summary: The youths obey Janak's words and place the maidens' hands in
their own.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 9197-9200
quote_or_summary: The princes and brides walk reverently with ordered steps around
the fire, Janak, the sages, and the sacred ground.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: lines 9202-9209
quote_or_summary: Flowers descend from the sky; celestial voices, instruments, and
dancing nymphs celebrate the princes' wedding day.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: lines 9210-9216
quote_or_summary: While heavenly music continues, Raghu's sons circle the fire three
times and lead their brides homeward to the palace prepared by Janak.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/hindu/project-gutenberg/ramayana-griffith.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif candidates are limited
to available taxonomy references and are stated cautiously. No comparison claims
are made because the passage itself does not support a specific cross-text comparison.
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: |-
Line label includes earlier canto headings, but supplied passage text begins with Canto LXXIII and ends at the start of Canto LXXIV; extraction is limited to the provided passage text.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:hindu-ramayana-griffith-gutenberg__l9068-l9216
passage_sha256=cb3e600e77d51cb34305cad5f29a39349c9e0f41f5c93e5475fbe81b47539f6d