Set in colonial Bengal at the turn of the twentieth century. Sachish decides to abandon radical positivism in favor of religious mysticism. Inspired by his uncle, Sachish is at first optimistic about reforming a society full of religious bigotry and superstition. But after his uncle's passing, Sachish tries to find solace in the very world he had so far fought against. He ends up joining a religious cult headed by a guru called Lilananda Swani, and finds himself caught between reformist western ideas and conservative Hindu asceticism. His life is then further complicated by the presence of two women.