Written in a grandiose setting, the novel depicts the economic, social and political conditions of Vedic Indian society three thousand years ago.

The original story is told in Mahabharat to Duryodhana to teach him about the result of stubbornness and how it can destroy life.

He thought that the act of censorship was not a crime that he had committed, and as such he should not be punished for it, instead he decided to start writing the story of Madhabi and Galav.

He completed the manuscript in December 1982 (Poush 2039) and the book was published on 13 April 1983 (30 Chaitra 2039 BS) by Sajha Praksahan.

Madhabi is the daughter of king Yayati and an apsara, and is born with a divine power to remain a virgin forever.

[Note a] In the acceptance speech, Madan Mani said "... Madhavi of Vyas, you have been rewarded only now after thousands of years because you no longer have to sacrifice any infant in Varunavali, no need to be exchanged with horses, no need to obey Vishwamitra's orders and conceive a child with Pramatak and you don't have to leave room for the Galav's flowers in the garland you have weaved.