Concept:Different Buddhist texts give varying accounts of what led Ashoka to embrace the Dhamma.
Explanation:The Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa both state that Ashoka turned to the Dhamma after his nephew Nigrodha preached to him.
Thus, statement 1 is correct.
Statement 3 is incorrect because the Dipavamsa mentions Nigrodha, not Samudra.
The Divyavadana says Ashoka was influenced by Samudra, a merchant-turned monk.
Hence, statement 2 is correct.
The Ashokavadana later combines both traditions, but that does not change the specific text references.
Answer:Statements 1 and 2 are correct. (Option C)