The novel chronicles the attempts of Vikraman, the son of the Chola king Parthiban, to attain independence from the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman I.

Parthiban conveys his dream of the Chola dynasty regaining its glory – which he believes is lost since they are no longer the independent rulers – to his young son Vikraman.

Three years later Vikraman returns, longing to meet his mother and a mysterious beauty whom he saw before being deported.

He discovers that his mother has disappeared, kidnapped by members of the savage Kapalika cult given to performing human sacrifices.

Several twists and turns later, the monk is revealed as the Pallava emperor Narasimhavarman, who keeps his word to the dying Parthiban by helping establish an independent kingdom under Vikraman in Uraiyur, followed by the Chola prince's marriage to Kundhavi.