Amidst the thunderous clash of war, Prince Talkhand gazed down from the height of his war elephant upon a battlefield churning like the dark waters of the Nile. Scorching winds, relentless sun, and flashing blades encircled him, offering neither relief nor escape. Overcome by intense thirst, heat, and the overwhelming heartbreak of defeat, the young prince collapsed upon his golden saddle and breathed his last, surrendering the fate of India into the hands of his brother, Gav.
Observing from the heart of his army, King Gav noticed that Talkhand's radiant ruby banner had vanished from the skyline. He dispatched a swift horseman to ride around the royal elephant and investigate. The messenger rode forth and discovered the enemy ranks in utter disarray, seeking their vanished lord. Returning like the wind, he brought the tragic tidings to King Gav. Struck with grief, Gav dismounted his elephant and walked two miles on foot, weeping bitterly until he reached his brother's corpse. Upon inspecting Talkhand's body from head to toe, he found not a single physical wound. In agony, Gav rent his arms and cast himself onto the dust.
Gav lamented that harsh fate and headstrong disobedience to wise counsel had claimed Talkhand's young life, breaking their mother's heart. At that moment, the wise vizier Farzaneh arrived. Seeing the monarch rolling in the dust, Farzaneh imparted profound wisdom: 'What avails this endless grieving? What was fated has come to pass. Render thanks to Yazdan that your own hands are free of your brother's blood. The astrologers foretold that his defiance would bring his demise. Now, the army looks to you; compose yourself. A king is like a goblet of rosewater—a single speck of dust tarnishes him, and an uncomposed ruler loses respect before his troops.'
King Gav heeded the sage advice, composed his heart, and granted full amnesty to Talkhand's remaining host, welcoming them into his protection. He then summoned master artisans and scholars to fashion a magnificent sarcophagus of ivory, gold, turquoise, and ebony. Draping Talkhand's body in fine Chinese silk, they sealed the coffin with camphor, musk, pitch, and dababi cloth, after which King Gav marched his victorious army swiftly homeward.