In a kingdom stricken by drought for many years, Arvasu, a young Brahman, falls in love with Nittilai, a tribal girl who must win the blessing of her father and the village elders before marrying him. Paravasu, Arvasu’s brother, has been leading a major fire sacrifice, the “yajna” ceremony, for seven years to appease the god of rain, Devraj Indra. Their father, Raibhya, dislikes both his sons and grows suspicious of Vishakha, who is Paravasu’s wife, believing she is having an affair with Yavakri. Raibhya bases this on the history that Yavakri and Vishakha loved each other before Yavakri left the village for ten years to worship Devraj Indra in the jungle, aiming to attain Brahma Jnana (supreme divine powers). After his return, Yavakri resumes pursuing Vishakha along her routine to the water well. She, initially refusing because she is married, ultimately gives in, and they begin a forbidden affair in the caves and the woods.
One day, Nittilai and Arvasu witness a full water vessel and realize it belongs to Vishakha. Nittilai then sees Vishakha and Yavakri making love in a cave. Nittilai first tries to flee with Arvasu, but she later tells him the truth when he confronts her about what they saw. This frank revelation is resented and angers [Yavakri], who tells Nittilai she is cursed and will die within a month. This accusation frightens Nittilai and stirs a deep anger in Arvasu.
Back home, Raibhya, angered by adultery rumors, confronts Vishakha, who admits she was with Yavakri. In a fit of rage, Raibhya summons a dark force, the Rakshasa Brahma Rakshas, to kill Yavakri. He also declares that Yavakri can save himself only by entering his father’s ashram, which would brand him a coward. Yavakri, determined to prove his strength, awaits the demon’s arrival. Vishakha warns him to flee to his father’s ashram, which would spare both Raibhya and him; otherwise, if Yavakri defeats the demon, Raibhya would have to immolate himself. But Yavakri refuses to brace for defense, and a clash of distrust erupts between Yavakri and Vishakha, prompting Vishakha to take a defiant stand. The demon slays Yavakri as he tries to reach safety in his father’s ashram.
Vishakha pleads with Arvasu to cremate Yavakri, which delays his own appointment with Nittilai’s father and the village elders, forcing Nittilai to marry a fellow tribesman. Paravasu then sneaks in at night to meet Vishakha. Vishakha confesses everything and pleads with him to kill her, but [Paravasu] raises an arrow and shoots at his own father. On his way back to the yajna site, he encounters the demon, who calls him brother and, as a cursed soul, seeks salvation at his hands; Paravasu, however, ignores him. The next day, after [Arvasu] has cremated his father, [Paravasu] blames Arvasu for the slaying and beats him mercilessly.
When [Nittilai] learns of this, she comes to Arvasu’s aid and finds herself hunted by her husband and her brother, who threaten to kill her for dishonoring the tribe’s customs. The Sutradhar arranges a dramatic act to entertain the Devas and assigns [Arvasu] an important role. Under the influence of bhang, [Arvasu] goes berserk during the performance, wrecking the havan and tossing offerings to the starving crowd. In a desperate attempt to stop him, [Nittilai] exposes herself and is killed by her husband; [Paravasu] confesses to murdering his father and cremates himself on the yajna’s pyre. With the rites fulfilled, Devraj Indra appears, and [Arvasu] is granted a single wish of his choosing. The Brahma Rakshas returns, pleading to have his soul set free, while [Arvasu] wishes to bring Nittilai back to life. Indra explains that reviving Nittilai would require turning time backward, whereas freeing the demon’s soul would require turning time forward. With tearful resolve, [Arvasu] asks Indra to set the demon’s soul free, and his request is granted, bringing rain to end the long drought.
