UPSC CSE 2024 · PYQ · Ancient India / Buddhism · medium
With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets?
1. Nayaputta
2. Shakyamuni
3. Tathagata
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A.1 only
B.2 and 3 only✓ Correct
C.1, 2 and 3
D.None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha
Explanation
"Nayaputta" (Nataputta / Jnatriputra) was the epithet of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, not of Gautama Buddha — so 1 is incorrect. "Shakyamuni" meaning "sage of the Shakya clan" is one of the most common epithets used for Gautama Buddha, who belonged to the Shakya clan of Kapilavastu — so 2 is correct. "Tathagata" meaning "thus-gone" or "thus-come" is another very well-known title that Buddha used for himself in the Pali canon — so 3 is correct. Hence only 2 and 3 are epithets of Gautama Buddha.
💡 Practice unlimited UPSC CSE PYQs + AI-tracked progress on each topic. Sign up free →
Want more UPSC CSE practice?
Free daily 10-Q quiz · adaptive mocks · 4,000+ verified PYQs · AI doubt solver in Hindi + English