In the context of ancient Indian religious history, the term Buddha is a title given to Siddhartha Gautama. Literally, what does the word Buddha mean?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the field of ancient Indian religions, specifically Buddhism. Siddhartha Gautama is commonly referred to as the Buddha, but this is a title rather than a personal name. Understanding the literal meaning of the word Buddha is important for appreciating the core ideas of Buddhism and is frequently tested in examinations on general knowledge and Indian culture.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question asks about the literal meaning of the term Buddha.
- It refers to the title given to Siddhartha Gautama after his spiritual awakening.
- Several possible meanings are offered, such as enlightened one, preacher or powerful one.
- We assume the question expects the standard dictionary and scriptural meaning used in Buddhist studies.

Concept / Approach:
The word Buddha is derived from the Sanskrit root budh, which means to awaken or to know. Therefore, Buddha is usually translated as the awakened one or the enlightened one. It signifies a person who has attained complete insight into the nature of reality and is free from ignorance and suffering. The approach to solving the question is to recall this standard translation and distinguish it from more general or vague titles like genius or powerful one, which do not capture the doctrinal meaning of the term.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya and thereafter was known as the Buddha. Step 2: Understand that the root budh in Sanskrit and Pali languages carries the meaning to awaken or to become aware. Step 3: Recognise that Buddha is conventionally translated as the enlightened one or the awakened one in religious and academic literature. Step 4: Compare this precise meaning with the options given and see that only the enlightened one accurately reflects the doctrinal sense. Step 5: Reject general or misleading terms like genius, religious preacher or powerful one, and select the enlightened one.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can recall that Buddhist texts often describe enlightenment as Bodhi and the person who attains it as a Buddha, meaning one who is awakened to the true nature of existence. Standard reference works on Buddhism and school textbooks consistently translate Buddha as the enlightened one or awakened one, never simply as preacher, genius or powerful king. This cross check ensures that the answer is not based on guesswork but on the accepted scholarly meaning.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The religious preacher: While the Buddha certainly preached the Dharma, the term Buddha is not defined as preacher but as enlightened one.
The genius: Genius refers to exceptional intellectual ability but does not capture the spiritual awakening implied in Buddha.
The powerful one: This suggests physical or political power, which is not the essential idea behind the term.
The victorious king: Gautama renounced royal life; the title Buddha does not mean victorious king but rather one who has conquered ignorance.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners assume that Buddha must mean a religious leader or a wise person in a general sense and therefore mistakenly choose options like religious preacher or genius. Others may be distracted by the idea of royal birth and imagine that the title refers to a king. It is important to remember that Buddhism emphasises inner awakening, so the correct interpretation of Buddha is tied directly to enlightenment rather than worldly power or general intelligence.

Final Answer:
Thus, the word Buddha literally means The enlightened one.