This little novel has a philosophical message, as it juxtaposes the power of Hinduism with the compassion of Buddhism, as seen in the carvings of Ellora during the middle period of Indian History.
The story dwells on hero Krishna Chander Azad's reaction to the carvings of the dramatic myths of Lord Shiva's power at Ellora and to the Buddhist carvings, done a century before that, beyond the Brahmanical Shrine showing veneration to the Buddhist female saints. During his visit to the caves the hero meets a young Englishwoman, Sheila Richardson and their joint quest of the meaning of the sculptures is in fact a search for their own inner selves.