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:

Answer: B. Shakyamuni and Tathagata are epithets of Gautama Buddha; Nayaputta is not. Gautama Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) was known by many epithets reflecting different aspects of his life and teachings. (1) Nayaputta: This was an epithet of MAHAVIRA (Vardhamana, founder of Jainism), not Buddha. The name means 'son of Naya' or 'descendant of the Jnatrika clan' (Mahavira's clan). WRONG for Buddha. (2) Shakyamuni: CORRECT. Means 'Sage of the Shakyas' — referring to Buddha's clan, the Shakyas of Kapilavastu. Widely used in Buddhist texts. (3) Tathagata: CORRECT. Means 'thus-gone' or 'thus-come'; Buddha used this title for himself frequently in early Pali texts. It denotes one who has reached enlightenment. So only 2 and 3 are Buddha's epithets. Source: NCERT Class 6 Our Past + NCERT Class 12 Themes in Indian History Part I.