This novel is an alternative history of the origins of Buddhism, and is set in the Himalayan plains 2500 years ago.
"Just after midnight, standing on the balcony of his palace, Prince Siddhartha Gautama, suddenly saw among the millions of bright stars a long thin trace of gold and silver fire. It split into three as he watched."
The prince has left the palace, alone at night. Where has he gone? And did the omen of the three falling stars have anything to do with his disappearance?