As Khosrow Anushirvan watched the silver threads of seventy winters frost his raven hair, his thoughts turned toward the destiny of Iran and the succession of his crown. For years, the Shahanshah had secretly placed discreet observers to watch his prince, Hormozd, recording his virtues, his justice, and his devotion to the needy. Finding his son to be wise, righteous, and fearsome of the Divine, Khosrow resolved to test his intellect before the assembled sages, mobads, and nobles of the realm.
In the glittering court assembly, the grand vizier Bozorgmehr stepped forward to measure the prince's mind through profound philosophical inquiry. Bozorgmehr questioned him on what truly illuminates the human soul and shields it from Ahrimanic deceit. Hormozd answered with striking eloquence, naming wisdom, forbearance, and generosity as the ultimate armors of the spirit.
Bozorgmehr continued with a relentless volley of complex inquiries: what constitutes a worthy child, when must one flee from a realm, how does one distinguish true friends from treacherous foes, and why does vanity corrupt the mind? Hormozd first bowed gracefully to his royal father, offering prayers for the longevity of the crown, and then proceeded to resolve every single question with radiant clarity and impeccable logic. Astonished by the depth of his son's sagacity, King Khosrow showered Hormozd with royal blessings, while the council of elders marveled at the bright future awaiting the throne.