Not narrated in this discourse's source text; presumably the same recurring frame as the rest of this vagga
Speakers
Not named explicitly; a single verse of direct address and praise
Form
One four-line verse only, addressed directly to whoever is invited to ‘behold’ the one described
Length
~15 seconds to read
Difficulty
★☆☆☆☆ — simple in form, a dense concentration of epithets in four lines
A companion to SN 1.44
The shortest pair of discourses in this vagga, back to back — an unglossed riddle, then an unqualified verse of praise
Why this discourse
Where SN 1.44 immediately before it withholds explanation entirely, this discourse withholds nothing but a name: it simply invites the hearer to ‘behold him of peerless name,’ unpacking that invitation across four dense epithets — one who sees the subtle meaning, a giver of wisdom, unattached to sensuality, all-knowing, intelligent, and a great seer treading the noble road. No riddle, no reply, no narrative context is supplied — only concentrated praise.
Reading guide
An invitation to look, not a question to answer
Unlike this vagga's riddles, this verse doesn't ask anything of its hearer except attention: ‘behold’ (passa) opens the verse, directing focus toward a figure named only by an epithet, ‘peerless’ (anoma), before the epithets accumulate further.
Six qualities in four compressed lines
In the space of a single short verse, six distinct qualities are named: seeing subtle meaning, giving wisdom, non-attachment to sensuality, omniscience, exceptional intelligence, and treading the noble road as a great seer. The density is itself notable — more descriptive terms packed into four lines than almost any other verse this brief in this collection.
Unattachment paired with, not opposed to, wisdom
The verse pairs ‘giver of wisdom’ directly with ‘unattached to the realm of sensuality’ in the same line, treating detachment from sensual pleasure not as a separate achievement but as bound up with the capacity to give wisdom to others in the first place.
The shortest pair in this vagga, read together
Placed immediately after SN 1.44's sealed, unanswered riddle, this discourse's unreserved clarity of praise makes an interesting contrast: one discourse in this vagga withholds meaning almost entirely, the very next withholds nothing but ambiguity, offering only direct, unqualified description.
Key terms
anoma — “peerless, unsurpassed” — the epithet this discourse's title comes from, opening the verse's description.
sukhumatthadassiṁ — “one who sees the subtle meaning” — the first quality named, describing insight into what is not obvious.
paññādadaṁ — “a giver of wisdom” — the second quality, paired directly with detachment from sensuality in the same line.
kāmālaye asattaṁ — “unattached to the realm of sensuality” — the third quality, linked in the verse to the capacity to give wisdom.
ariyamaggaṁ — “the noble road” — what the great seer is described as ‘treading’ in the verse's closing line.
The text
The discourse in full: a single dense verse of praise, naming six qualities in four lines. Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0, SuttaCentral).
§1“Behold him of peerless name who sees the subtle meaning, giver of wisdom, unattached to the realm of sensuality: the all-knower, so very intelligent, the great seer treading the noble road.”
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Self-check quiz
Ten questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.
Question 1 of 10
What does the verse's opening word invite the hearer to do?
Correct: A. An invitation to attention, not a question demanding a reply.
Question 2 of 10
How many distinct qualities does the verse name in its four lines?
Correct: A. A notably dense concentration of epithets for such a short verse.
Question 3 of 10
What does the verse pair 'giver of wisdom' directly with?
Correct: A. Treating detachment and the capacity to give wisdom as bound together.
Question 4 of 10
What does 'anoma' mean?
Correct: A. This discourse's title and opening epithet.
Question 5 of 10
What is the great seer described as treading in the verse's closing line?
Correct: A. The verse's final image, closing its list of qualities.
Question 6 of 10
How does this discourse contrast with SN 1.44, immediately before it?
Correct: A. The shortest pair of discourses in this vagga, contrasting in approach.
Question 7 of 10
Does this discourse pose a question that requires an answer?
Correct: A. A direct address and description, not a riddle-and-answer structure.
Question 8 of 10
What does 'sukhumatthadassiṁ' mean?
Correct: A. The first of six qualities named in the verse.
Question 9 of 10
What is the setting of this discourse?
Correct: A. Like SN 1.44 immediately before it, no setting is given directly.
Question 10 of 10
How long is this discourse?
Correct: A. As brief as SN 1.44 immediately before it, though very different in content.
