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 ||
Viśvāmitra disse: “Os Viśvedevas são meus amigos, e eu também sou amigo das vacas. Na verdade, sou amigo do mundo inteiro. Por isso sou conhecido no mundo pelo nome ‘Viśvāmitra’. Ó Yātudhānī, escuta com atenção e compreende quem eu sou.”
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.