Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत अनुशासनपर्वके अन्तर्गत दानधर्मपर्वनें श्राद्धकल्पविषयक बानबेवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
viśvāmitra uvāca—viśve devāś ca me mitrā mitram asmi gavāṃ tathā | viśvāmitram iti khyātaṃ yātudhāni nibodha mām ||
قال فيشواميترا: «إنَّ آلَةَ الفيشڤيديفا أصدقائي، وأنا أيضًا صديقٌ للأبقار. بل أنا صديقٌ للعالم كلِّه. ولذلك اشتهرتُ في الدنيا باسم “فيشواميترا”. يا ياتودهاني، أَصغي جيدًا وافهمي من أنا».
भीष्म उवाच
The verse foregrounds maitri (benevolent friendship) as a dharmic identity: Viśvāmitra defines himself by universal goodwill—toward gods, cows (symbols of sustenance and non-violence), and the world—implying that ethical stature is grounded in protective, inclusive friendship rather than hostility.
Within Bhīṣma’s discourse in the Anuśāsana Parva, a cited passage presents Viśvāmitra addressing a being called Yātudhānī, instructing her to listen and declaring why he is known as ‘Viśvāmitra’—because he is a friend to the Viśvedevas, to cows, and to all beings.