When the envoys Ashtad and Khrad Barzin brought Shiruye’s bold and accusatory demands to the imprisoned Khosrow Parviz, the dethroned monarch listened with cold, unyielding dignity. Raising his head, he commanded them to carry his sharp, wisdom-filled response back to the young, inexperienced king, warning him against foolishness, seeking false flaws, and trusting malicious advisors.
Khosrow Parviz methodically dismantled every charge brought against him. Regarding the tragic conflict with his father Hormoz, he recalled how slanderers had driven him into exile, emphasizing that he had harbored no evil intent toward his sire. He reminded Shiruye of his bitter campaign against Bahram Chubin and how he had ruthlessly punished his own maternal uncles, Bandoy and Gostahm, severing their limbs to avenge Hormoz’s blood and maintain divine justice. Concerning Shiruye’s own previous confinement, Khosrow revealed that it was not a wretched dungeon, but a luxurious palace filled with polo, hunting falcons, minstrels, and endless wealth—a measure taken solely to prevent Shiruye from straying into evil and to stall the grim horoscopes predicted by Indian astrologers.
The fallen king passionately defended his vast treasuries—including the Bad-Avard and Arus treasures—and his strategic deployment of forces along the frontiers. He likened Iran to a flourishing, fragrant garden whose walls and thorn-hedges are its armored armies, sternly warning that recalling these border garrisons would leave the realm defenseless against ravenous enemies. He further justified his diplomacy with the Roman Caesar, explaining that his gifts and ceremonial concessions served statecraft and honor. Finally, Khosrow Parviz invoked the cosmic parade of past monarchs from Kyumars and Jamshid to Fereydun and Rostam, recognizing that all worldly glory ends in dust. Turning his heart toward Yazdan in true repentance, he bade a magnificent farewell to the earthly realm. Deeply moved and stricken with remorse, the envoys tore their garments and wept as they returned to deliver Khosrow's final testament to Shiruye.