Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution
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Correct Answer: Option (B) — 2 and 3 only
Concept & Option Breakdown
Standard Reference VerifiedStatement 1 is incorrect: 'Nayaputta' (or Nigantha Nataputta) is an epithet of Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, referring to his clan (Jnatrika/Naya). Statement 2 is correct: 'Shakyamuni' means the 'Sage of the Shakya clan' and is one of the most widespread epithets of Gautama Buddha. Statement 3 is correct: 'Tathagata' ('One who has thus gone' or 'One who has thus come') is the primary term Buddha used to refer to himself in early canonical discourses.
Nigantha Nataputta is universally known from early Buddhist texts as the identifier for Mahavira. Eliminating 1 leaves only (b).
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