Shloka 92
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 ||
विश्वामित्र ने कहा— विश्वेदेव मेरे मित्र हैं और मैं गौओं का भी मित्र हूँ। मैं समस्त जगत् का मित्र हूँ; इसीलिए संसार में ‘विश्वामित्र’ नाम से प्रसिद्ध हूँ। हे यातुधानी, ध्यान से सुन और मुझे भलीभाँति जान।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.