When Kay Khosrow had finished bestowing honors and lands upon the great heroes of Iran, his mind was eased of its worldly burdens. Among all the chieftains, only Luhrasp remained unaddressed from the royal register. The King bade Bijan bring forth a crown and summon Luhrasp to his presence. As Luhrasp entered, the monarch rose, praised him, and took his hands. Then, stepping down from the renowned ivory throne, Kay Khosrow lifted the radiant Crown of the Kians from his head and placed it upon Luhrasp, transferring the sovereignty of Iran unto his shoulders.
Taking leave of the ivory throne, Khosrow bestowed his blessing upon the new sovereign: 'May this crown prove auspicious unto thee, and may the world bow in tribute before thy throne. Having endured endless strife and toil, I now hand over the kingship, the treasure, and the crown to thee. Let thy tongue speak naught but justice henceforth, and keep the Demon far from thy soul if thou desirest thy fortune to remain young. Be wise, harmless, and ever watchful over thy soul.' Then turning to the assembled nobility of Iran, he bade them rejoice in Luhrasp's reign.
Yet a wave of astonishment and anger swept through the assembly. The Iranian chieftains raged like fierce lions, marveling that Luhrasp should be proclaimed King. Zal, the venerable sage of Seistan, rose to his feet and spoke his mind directly: 'O exalted Sovereign! May dust fill the head of anyone who acknowledges Luhrasp as King! When he first arrived in Iran at the house of Zarasb, I saw him as a destitute traveler with but a single horse! Thou didst send him to the war of the Alans, granting him an army, a banner, and a belt. Among so many lords of royal lineage, did no one occur to the King’s memory that he bestows the crown upon one whose heritage and art are unknown?' A grand clamor arose from the Iranian host, swearing they would no longer gird their loins for battle nor seek renown if Luhrasp were to be their ruler.
Kay Khosrow listened to Zal's outburst and responded with quiet majesty: 'Hasten not, O Zal, nor indulge in wrath! Whoever utters unrighteous words reaps only smoke from fire. God Almighty is witness to my soul that these truths belong to Luhrasp: he possesses modesty, faith, and wisdom, reaping only good from his deeds. He is the noble great-grandson of King Hushang—wise, clear-sighted, and pure-handed! He shall wipe out the trace of sorcerers from the earth and reveal the pure path of Yazdan. The era shall grow young through his counsel, as shall his own immaculate son. Offer your blessings upon his kingship and turn not away from my counsel.'
Upon hearing these sacred assurances, Zal was overwhelmed with regret. Reaching down, he picked up black soil and pressed it to his lips, soiling his mouth in deep contrition. In a loud voice, he proclaimed Luhrasp as King and addressed Khosrow: 'Who but the victorious King could have known that Luhrasp possesses the blood of ancient monarchs? By this black earth with which I have smudged my lips, count not my hasty oath as a sin against me!'