Bhagwan Mahavir, also called Vardhamana Mahavir, is the 24th Tirthankar in Jainism. A Tirthankar is a supreme spiritual teacher who revives the Jain doctrine and helps beings cross the worldly ocean of life and death.

Key points about Mahavir:

• He is revered as a completely enlightened soul who taught the path of liberation (moksha) through right conduct, right knowledge, and right faith.
• His main teachings emphasize ahimsa (non-violence) in thought, word, and deed; satya (truth); asteya (non-stealing); brahmacharya (celibacy or control over senses); and aparigraha (non-attachment/non-possessiveness).
• He articulated important Jain philosophies such as anekantavada (the doctrine of non-absolutism, recognizing many viewpoints) and syadvada (the conditional/qualified assertion).
• Mahavir re-organized and revitalized the Jain monastic order and established the framework of Jain ethics and conduct that is followed by both Digambar and Shwetambar traditions, though there are differences in some details of their narratives and practices.

In brief, Mahavir is regarded as a supreme teacher who, through intense penance and spiritual insight, attained omniscience and helped countless beings progress on the path to liberation. The reverence “Bhagwan” is an honorific used for him as a great spiritual guide.