When Shangal, the King of India, witnessed the matchless strength and peerless deeds of Bahram, his heart grew heavy with angst and his face paled with apprehension. He feared that should this extraordinary envoy return to the realm of Iran, he would report to his sovereign that India lacked true warriors and that its cavalry was weak, thereby inviting an invasion. Under the cover of night, Shangal summoned his wisest counselors and chief nobles to secretly plot Bahram's execution.
Yet a sage of profound wisdom stood before the king and warned him against such dishonorable folly. He declared that slaying an envoy of kings brings everlasting shame, and executing a champion who had just rid the land of the devastating dragon and rhino would invite cosmic vengeance. Furthermore, if the armies of Iran were to march in retribution, not a single trace of Shangal's kingdom would remain.
chastened by the sage's stern counsel, Shangal abandoned his dark design. At dawn, he summoned Bahram to a private audience, offering him command over the armies of India, a royal domain, and the hand of his daughter, declaring that Bahram must never leave India. Bahram pondered his royal blood and proud heritage; recognizing that he was a lion caught in a fox's snare, he deemed accepting the proposal a wise strategy to preserve his life and secure an ultimate return to his beloved Iran.
Upon Bahram's agreement, Shangal adorned his royal hall with Chinese silks and brought forth his three radiant daughters. Among them, Bahram chose Sepinud, a maiden of ethereal grace, bashful modesty, and glowing beauty, likened to a smokeless candle and a graceful cypress. Filled with joy, Shangal bestowed Sepinud upon Bahram along with keys to vast treasuries. He showered Bahram's companions with gold, silver, amber, and camphor, and gathered all the illustrious nobles of Qannauj for a magnificent celebration. For seven days, wine flowed freely, and Sepinud sat beside Bahram Gur like sparkling wine gleaming within a crystal goblet.