Due to quarrel between Lord Shiva and Shakti, Shakti and her son Veerabahu are cursed to be born on earth and live as mortals. Veerabahu is Kathavarayan whom the tribals adopt and he becomes the prince of the mountains. Kathavarayan (Sivaji Ganesan) grows up and goes on a world tour, his mother Shakti blesses him with the divine power of transforming into any form he wishes when he is in danger. During his quests Kathavarayan falls in love with Princess Aaryamala (Savithri). Aaryamala is reborn to a Rajaguru who predicts a tragic life for her, but the King adopts her and names her Aryamala (Savithri). But the King is against their love. Kathavarayan is arrested by the King and taken to be impaled. What happens next forms the climax of the story.