With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets ?1.Nayaputta2.Shakyamuni3.TathagataSelect the correct answer using the code given below :

1. A

   1 only

   1 only. Nayaputta is an epithet of Mahavira, not the Buddha.

2. B

   2 and 3 only

   2 and 3 only. Shakyamuni and Tathagata are Buddha epithets.

3. C

   1, 2 and 3

   All three. Nayaputta does not belong here.

4. D

   None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha

   None. Two of the three names are his.

Summary. Official key is (b) 2 and 3 only. Gautama is Shakyamuni (sage of the Shakyas) and Tathagata (“thus-gone”). Nayaputta / Nataputta is a Jain epithet of Mahavira (of the Jnatri clan). So 1 drops.