While returning from a lengthy pilgrimage, Nabakumar encounters a wicked Tantric sage who intends to sacrifice him to the goddess Shamshaan Kali. Freed by Kapalkundala, a beautiful young forest dweller, Nabakumar marries her the next day. Despite their happiness, he soon encounters his first wife, who has secretly joined forces with the sage. Kapalkundala is a novel by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.