Jivaka, mentioned in the early Buddist literature, was

Answer & Explanation

Answer: [D]

Jivaka, also known as Jivaka Komarabhacca, was a renowned physician during the time of Gautama Buddha. He was a skilled and respected doctor who treated both the Buddha and his disciples. Jivaka is mentioned in several Buddhist scriptures, including the Vinaya Pitaka, as a prominent figure in the early Buddhist community. He is celebrated for his medical knowledge and his contributions to the well-being of the Buddhist monastic community. Therefore, Jivaka was a physician rather than a Bodhisattva, king, or merchant.