Caesar of Rum, deeply impressed by the wisdom of Khorrad Barzin—the brilliant envoy of King Khosrow Parviz—invited him to behold an extraordinary marvel within his palace. Floating in mid-air inside a radiant hall adorned with royal jewels stood an iron horseman, suspended without any ropes, pillars, or visible support. To any onlookers, it appeared as either an enchanted talisman or a divine miracle.
Khorrad Barzin entered the ancient chamber, examined the suspended figure with a keen scholar's eye, and returned to Caesar to effortlessly demystify the spectacle. He revealed that the rider and steed were forged of pure iron, while the surrounding walls were embedded with loadstones—magnets—whose equal pull from all sides trapped the iron figure in mid-air equilibrium. Caesar, astonished by his swift comprehension, turned the discourse toward philosophy, asking about the wisdom of India and the religions of the world.
Khorrad Barzin seized the moment to deliver a eloquent theological defense. He criticized extreme asceticism such as the self-immolation of Indian mystics, and addressed misconceptions regarding Jesus Christ. He recounted how Jesus was a humble, pious teacher of peace who taught forbearance, arguing that it defied reason to claim the almighty, self-sufficient Creator of the universe had a mortal son who could be crucified by enemies.
Instead, Khorrad Barzin championed the ancient Iranian monotheistic faith of Keyumars and Tahmuras. He proclaimed that Iranian monarchs and noble Dehqans worship the sole Creator, Yazdan. They look toward the supreme jewel of light as their Qibla, and measure their kingship not by greed, hypocrisy, or religious posturing, but by strict justice, generosity to the destitute, protection of their realm, and righteous deeds.
Caesar was utterly captivated by Khorrad Barzin's profound discourse. He praised him as a keeper of cosmic secrets whose mind towered above the stars. In honor of his peerless intellect, Caesar showered him with vast treasures of gold, silver, and a magnificent crown, sending his warmest blessings upon the land of Iran.