SSC Selection Post 2022 PYQ — Question 40

 The correct answer is Option 1 i.e. Maya.

The mother of Gautama Buddha was Queen Maya, also known as Mahamaya or Mayadevi. She was the wife of King Suddhodana of the Shakya dynasty. According to Buddhist tradition, Queen Maya had a divine dream in which a white elephant entered her side, symbolizing the conception of Siddhartha Gautama. She gave birth to him in Lumbini, while on her way to her parental home. Tragically, Queen Maya passed away just seven days after giving birth, and Siddhartha was then raised by her sister, Mahaprajapati Gautami, who became his foster mother. Queen Maya is deeply revered in Buddhist history and iconography.