說無垢稱經疏 3.142

3.142

贊曰。下辭不堪。文中有三：初總陳道屈、次別顯理窮、後結答詞由卑躬請退。此總陳道屈也。目連外彰詞理、不能內契亡言，雖說我空、不能談法非有，因斯被屈，故答不堪。

Commentary: Below, he declines, being unable to bear [the task]. In the text there are three parts: first, a general statement that his way was bent; next, a specific showing of the exhaustion of his reasoning; and finally, concluding the words of his reply, humbly bowing and asking to withdraw. This is the general statement that his way was bent. Maudgalyāyana outwardly proclaimed words and principles but was unable to inwardly tally with that which transcends speech; although he spoke of the emptiness of the self, he was unable to discourse on phenomena not existing. Because of this he was humbled, and therefore he replied that he was unable to bear [the task].