In the grand audience hall of Qannuj, Shangal, King of India, fixed his gaze upon the towering stature, mighty chest, and radiant majesty of the Iranian envoy. Doubt and wonder warred within his mind, for never had he witnessed a messenger—from Rome, Turan, or the noble houses—possessing such divine farr and martial magnificence. Smiling, Shangal declared: 'O skilled warrior of noble race! You are beyond doubt the brother of the Shah of Iran! Such leonine strength, regal aura, and mastery over the bow belong only to the bloodline of kings.'
Bahram Gur, keeping his true royal identity closely guarded, replied smoothly: 'O King of India, speak not ill of envoys! I am neither of Yazdegerd's imperial blood nor a prince, and to claim such would be a sin. I am merely a stranger from Iran, neither a renowned sage nor a monarch. Grant me leave to return, for the way is long, lest the Shah's wrath overtake me for my delay.'
Unwilling to let such a formidable powerhouse slip away, Shangal urged him not to rush, inviting him to feast and relax. He then secretly summoned his grand vizier, whispering: 'Even if this man is not of the royal line, his prowess eclipses the greatest champions. Entice him! Offer him governorship over our most fertile provinces, endless spring pastures, vast treasures of gold and silver, and the supreme command of India’s armies! Ask him his true name; if he remains in our realm, his aura will elevate our kingdom beyond measure.'
The wise vizier approached Bahram, laying out the King's opulent offers in persuasive tones, and finally pressed him for his true name. Bahram’s complexion shifted as he weighed his response, but his allegiance remained unshakable. He answered with fierce integrity: 'O eloquent counselor, do not humiliate me in two realms! I shall never betray the Shah of Iran for all the treasures of the earth, no matter my poverty or toil. Our faith and ancient customs demand absolute loyalty; whoever turns his back on his sovereign loses his soul and way. Where are Fereydun, Key Qobad, and Key Khosrow, whose justice anchored the heavens? And know you not the terrible might of King Bahram? Should I disobey his command, he will bring the skies crashing down upon me and reduce the magic realms of India to dust before the Iranian host!'
Bahram then concluded: 'If you seek my name, it is Borzoy—so named by my Shah, my father, and my mother. Convey my exact words to Shangal, for I have tarried too long in foreign lands.'
When the minister delivered Bahram’s resolute refusal to Shangal, the Indian King's brow wrinkled in fury and anxiety. Realizing that neither gold nor power could corrupt this magnificent warrior, Shangal grimly resolved to plot a deadly snare to extinguish the rising light of this Iranian champion before he could leave Indian soil.