Bhishma said Thus addressed by the she ass Matanga returned home. Seeing him return. his father said I had engaged you in the difficult task of gathering the requisites of my intended sacrifice! Why have you returned without having accomplished your charge? Is it that you are not all right?
भीष्म उवाच एवमुक्तो मतङ्गस्तु प्रतिप्रायाद् गृहं प्रति। तमागतपभिप्रेक्ष्य पिता वाक्यमथाब्रवीत्॥ मया त्वं यज्ञसंसिद्धौ नियुक्तो गुरुकर्मणि। कस्मात् प्रतिनिवृत्तोऽसि कच्चिन्न कुशलं तव॥