A portrait of the collision between tradition and modernity in India, as told through the lives of the Brahmins in the holy city of Benares.

Foreigners in their own land -- Summer. The color-filled eleventh -- The hour of juncture -- The rape and the seduction -- The conqueror of destiny -- The modern traditionalist -- Winter. The revolutionary Brahmin -- The community of death -- The isle of rough magic -- The dharma of place -- The protection of the seed.