When word reached Bahram Chubin of the tragic blinding of King Hormoz IV and the coronation of his son Khosrow Parviz, the formidable general was struck with astonishment and deep sorrow at the fickle turn of fortune. Without delay, Bahram ordered the war drums to be bound to the backs of elephants and raised the banner of vengeance. Gathering an army as immense and unstoppable as a moving mountain, he marched boldly toward Nahrawan.
Upon learning of Bahram's swift advance and fierce determination, King Khosrow grew heavy-hearted. The young monarch secretly dispatched keen-sighted scouts to investigate Bahram's host, instructing them to ascertain whether the troops were truly united behind their warlord, how Bahram positioned himself on the march, whether he held court like a king, and if he still pursued hunting or literature.
The spies traversed the terrain unnoticed and returned with grave intelligence: every soldier in Bahram's army, from seasoned veterans to young warriors, stood utterly devoted to his single command. On the march, Bahram moved constantly among his troops—visiting the right wing, the left, and the baggage train. He shared his tactical secrets only with his trusted inner circle, needing no outside counsel. He held audience with royal majesty, hunted in the wilderness, and in hours of rest, constantly studied the sage book of Kalilah wa Dimnah to refine his strategic mind.
Hearing this, Khosrow turned to his inner council—Bandoy, Gustahm, Gardoy, Shapur, Andiyan, and Radman the commander of Armenia—and declared: 'A long and daunting struggle lies before us. When Bahram charges into battle, he shatters the dragon's heart even in the depths of the sea. He knows the ways of kings, and he uses the wisdom of Kalilah wa Dimnah as his prime minister.'
Seeking a solution, Khosrow consulted his high Mobad, who spoke of Wisdom being divided by Destiny into four shares: one major half reserved for the Divine Glory of Kings, another for the righteous, a third for loyal servants of the crown, and a remaining fragment for wise landholders. He affirmed that wisdom never abides with the ungrateful or ungodly.
Khosrow praised the Mobad's speech as pure jewel, yet revealed his own courageous plan: 'When the two armies stand face to face and lances clash, I shall feel no shame to ride out from my main vanguard alone and unarmed toward Bahram. I will call out to him, offer a countenance of peace, and praise him generously. If he accepts my words of reconciliation, he shall be elevated above all at my court; but if he insists on war, then we shall give him battle.'
The assembled chieftains praised the young king's magnanimity and vision, proclaiming him the true sovereign of the world. Khosrow then marched his army out of Baghdad, pitching royal pavilions in the open plain of Nahrawan. As night fell and dawn broke to the thunder of kettle-drums, Khosrow, flanked by Bandoy and Gustahm, rode out toward the springs of Nahrawan to face his fateful encounter with Bahram.