Who was Siddhartha Gautama prior to enlightenment?

Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha after his enlightenment, began his life as a prince sheltered from the realities of the world. Before his enlightenment, he lived within the luxuries of royal life, removed from the suffering that exists outside the palace walls. However, upon encountering the sights of aging, sickness, and death, he became deeply troubled by the human condition and the nature of suffering. This led him to renounce his royal status and seek a deeper understanding of life and the path to end suffering. His journey involved intensive meditation and the quest for truth, culminating in his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

The other options do not accurately depict his background prior to enlightenment. He was not a merchant, a beggar, or solely a scholar. His royal origins and subsequent renunciation played a crucial role in shaping his teachings and insights into suffering and the quest for enlightenment.