The novel examines gender roles, the blurring of lines between parental duties and the malleability of Dharma to fit a given situation.
King Yuvanashva is the well liked ruler of Vallabhi: an obedient son, a devoted husband who aspires to be just towards all and uphold Dharma in his kingdom.
The epic battle of Kurukshetra is imminent but the king's mother, Shilavati, refuses to consent to war until Yuvanashva sires an heir.
Yuvanashva, who has lived his whole life by the code of Dharma, begins to question his gender identity and longs to be called "mother" by his son.
The book was adapted into a 2015 play, Flesh, by director and script writer Kaushik Bose, produced by Theatreworms Productions.