With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets?

1. Nayaputta

2. Shakyamuni

3. Tathagata

UPSC (CSE PRELIMS) SOLVED PAPERS GENERAL STUDIES PAPER-I

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

The correct option is 2 and 3 only.

Let us analyze each of the given epithets with reference to Gautama Buddha and ancient Indian history:

1. Nayaputta (Incorrect):
Nayaputta (also referred to as Nigantha Nataputta in Buddhist literature or Jnautaputra in Sanskrit) is an epithet associated with Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. He was called Nayaputta because he belonged to the Jnatrika (or Naya) clan. Therefore, this epithet is not associated with Gautama Buddha.

2. Shakyamuni (Correct):
Gautama Buddha was born into the Shakya clan, which ruled Kapilavastu. Because of his clan lineage and his attainment of spiritual wisdom, he was widely known as "Shakyamuni", which translates to the "Sage of the Shakyas".

3. Tathagata (Correct):
Tathagata is a title frequently used by Gautama Buddha in Buddhist scriptures to refer to himself. The term literally translates to "one who has thus gone" (tatha-gata) or "one who has thus come" (tatha-agata), signifying someone who has transcended the cycle of birth and death to realize the ultimate truth.

Thus, while Shakyamuni and Tathagata are epithets of Gautama Buddha, Nayaputta refers to Mahavira. This makes statement 1 incorrect and statements 2 and 3 correct.