Consider the following statements 1. Vardhamana Mahavira’s mother was the daughter of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka. 2. Goutama Buddha’s mother was a princess from the Kosha-lan dynasty. 3. Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara, belonged to Banaras. Which of these statements is/are correct?

The correct answer is Option 3 (2 and 3). This is based on the following historical facts:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Trishala, the mother of Vardhamana Mahavira, was the sister (not the daughter) of Chetaka, the Lichchhavi chief of Vaishali.
• Statement 2 is correct: Queen Maya, the mother of Gautama Buddha, was a princess of the Koliya clan, which was a branch of the wider Kosalan dynasty (Ikshvaku lineage). Historically, the Koliyas and Shakyas were within the cultural and political sphere of the Kosala kingdom.
• Statement 3 is correct: Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara, was a historical figure born in Banaras (Varanasi). He was the son of King Ashvasena of the Ikshvaku dynasty and Queen Vama. He lived approximately 250 years before Mahavira.

Since statement 1 is factually inaccurate regarding the relationship, while 2 and 3 are historically verified, Option 3 is the right choice.