Consider the following statements Vardhaman Mahavira's mother was the daughter of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka Gautama Buddha's mother was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, belonged to Benaras Which of these statements is/are correct?

Q 26 / 33

UPSC CSE Prelims 2003

Consider the following statements

Vardhaman Mahavira's mother was the daughter of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka
Gautama Buddha's mother was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty
Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, belonged to Benaras

Which of these statements is/are correct?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (C):

Statement 2 is correct. Gautama Buddha's mother, Mahamaya, was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty. She was married to King Suddhodana, the ruler of the Shakya clan.

Statement 3 is correct. Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara in Jainism, was born in Varanasi, which is also known as Benaras. His birthplace is a significant historical detail regarding his life.

Incorrect Options:

Statement 1 is incorrect. Vardhaman Mahavira's mother, Trishala, was the sister of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka, not his daughter. This relationship established a strong political and social connection between Mahavira's family and the powerful Lichchhavi clan.

SOURCEIndia's Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma, Chapter 10: Jainism and Buddhism