On a radiant day of joy, King Khosrow Anushirvan sat upon the imperial throne and granted audience to the wisest sages of the realm. Smiling and full of grace, the King turned to his preeminent counselor, Bozorgmehr, who was seated by the throne. Bozorgmehr began with praise for the Almighty Creator, the victorious Lord who sustains all life. He declared that he had recorded timeless maxims of wisdom in Pahlavi script upon royal parchment and committed them to the royal treasury, so that future monarchs might ponder them across the ages. He reflected upon the fleeting nature of the realm, warning that the turn of the heavens keeps its secrets hidden. Even if a man rises from the banquet throne to lay down his life on the battlefield, clears the earth of enemies, erects lofty palaces, gathers vast treasures, and rears noble children, all gained through deceit shall turn to dust within a century, leaving his hard-earned wealth to his foes. Only two things remain eternal and untarnished by the passage of time: sweet, truth-bearing speech and righteous deeds. Bozorgmehr urged the monarch to eschew sin, embrace harmlessness, and steadfastly follow the divine law. Enlightened by these words, King Khosrow began a grand inquiry, asking who among men possesses a truly joyous heart. Bozorgmehr replied that only the innocent, whom Ahriman has failed to stray, enjoy unbroken peace. When questioned further regarding the ways of the Divine versus the path of demons, Bozorgmehr proclaimed that obeying God brings glory in both worlds, whereas Ahriman's track leads only to ruin. He then expounded upon the ten mighty demons that seek to subjugate human reason and soul—Avarice (Az), Need (Niyaz), Wrath (Khashm), Envy (Rashk), Shame (Nang), Malice (Kin), Slander (Namam), Duplicity (Do-ruy), Impurity of Faith (Napak-din), and Ingratitude (Na-sepas)—detailing how wisdom acts as the ultimate shield against their corrupting power.