King Goshtasp answered his valiant son Esfandiyar with words that masked a deep, insidious malice beneath praise. Acknowledging Esfandiyar's unmatched victories across the earth, the king declared that one defiant shadow still loomed over the realm: Rostam, the son of Zal. Goshtasp bitterly recounted how Rostam ruled over Zabulistan, Bast, Ghaznin, and Kabulistan as an independent sovereign, boasting that he served only Kay Kavus and Kay Khosrow, while treating Goshtasp's newly won crown with disdain. Therefore, the monarch set the final, terrible condition for surrendering his throne: Esfandiyar must lead an army to Sistan, unsheathe his blade, and bind Rostam in heavy iron chains. Not stopping there, he ordered that Zal, Zavareh, and Faramarz be disarmed, and Rostam dragged on foot as a captive to the royal court to strike terror into all potential rebels.
Heartbroken and outraged by his father's decree, Prince Esfandiyar pleaded for reason, warning the king that he was abandoning the sacred traditions of the Kianian dynasty. He asked how a monarch could demand the humiliation of an aged hero who had been the pillar of Iran from the reign of Manuchehr to Kay Qobad and Kay Khosrow—a legendary protector who placed kings upon their thrones and struck terror into the hearts of foreign enemies. Esfandiyar proclaimed Rostam to be the most noble defender Iran had ever known and insisted that violating ancient covenants would undermine the very moral authority of Goshtasp's rule.
Yet Goshtasp remained unyielding, insidiously arguing that any who strayed from God's light forfeited their rights. He brought up the flaws of Kay Kavus—his foolish flight to the heavens, his captivity in Hamavaran, and the tragedy of Siyavash—arguing that Rostam shared in those ancient failures. Seeing through his father's cruel stratagem, Esfandiyar realized that Goshtasp did not truly care about subduing Rostam; he simply sought a pretext to send his own son to a fatal doom out of jealousy for the crown. With deep bitterness, Esfandiyar surrendered his claim to the throne, stating that a humble corner of the world would suffice for him, yet declared he would obey the royal command as a loyal servant. Rejecting Goshtasp's offer of massive armies and gold, Esfandiyar declared that if his hour of doom had arrived, no host could save him. Sighing with grief and burning with silent fury, the prince turned away from the court and returned to his hall in profound sorrow.