When nine moons had completed their cycle for the fair maiden, a child radiant as the sun entered the world. In honor of the renowned ancestor, his grandfather Babak named him Ardashir, and his heart overflowed with delight at the sight of the boy. Nurtured with boundless care as the years turned, the keen-minded came to call him Ardashir Babakan. He acquired every art and noble virtue known to lore, his inherent greatness burnished by wisdom until his very presence seemed to illuminate the heavens.
Reports of the young prince's prowess soon reached the ears of High King Ardavan—how he was a raging lion on the battlefield yet shone like Venus at the festive banquet. Stirred by these tidings, Ardavan penned a letter to the noble Babak, urging him to send Ardashir to the royal court so he might be raised among the king's own sons and granted great honor.
Though tears of sorrow welled in Babak's eyes at the prospect of parting with his beloved grandson, he summoned his scribes and prepared a fitting reply. Opening his vast treasuries, Babak bestowed upon Ardashir golden harnesses, formidable weapons, royal silks, gold coins, and precious aromatics. Thus equipped with royal splendour and guided by wise counsel, the auspicious youth set forth toward the court of King Ardavan.