In Jainism, “tapasvi” means one who performs tapas (austerity/penance) to purify the soul and destroy karma. A major tapasvi is someone who does very intense, disciplined, and long‑term austerities with right faith and right conduct.

You could look at it in two ways:

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1. In principle – who is a “great tapasvi”?

According to Jain dharma, a true tapasvi is:

1. Firm in Samyak Darshan

Has right belief in soul, karma, Tirthankars, and the path to moksha.

1. Strong in vows (vrat) and self‑control

- For monks/nuns: Mahavrata (absolute non‑violence, truth, non‑stealing, celibacy, non‑possession). - For laypeople: Anuvrata, upvas, ekasanu, ayambil, etc., done with purity of mind.

1. Practising 12 types of Tapas

- External (Bahya Tap): anashan (fasting), unodari, vritti‑sankship, ras‑tyag, kaya‑klesh, sanlinta. - Internal (Abhyantar Tap): prayschitta, vinay, vaiyavratya, svadhyay, vyutsarg, dhyan. ( jainknowledge.com)

1. Free from pride about tapas

A major tapasvi does not feel “I did something great.” He/she stays humble, peaceful, and detached.

1. Doing tapas for moksha, not for show

The goal is kashaya‑kshaya (destruction of anger, pride, deceit, greed) and karma‑nirjara (shedding karmas), not popularity.

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2. Examples traditionally remembered as great tapasvis

Across Jain history, many are regarded as mahā‑tapasvi because of extraordinary austerities and inner purity. A few broad examples:

(a) Tirthankars (both traditions accept this)

All 24 Tirthankars are supreme tapasvis. They performed:

• Very long fasts
• Deep meditation
• Complete renunciation of kingdom, body, and pleasures

Their tapas destroyed all ghati karmas and led to Keval‑jnan (omniscience).

(b) Great Acharyas and Munis

• Acharya Kundakunda, Samantabhadra, Hemchandrasuri, etc.

Known for strict vows, deep meditation, and huge scriptural work along with strong tapas.

• Modern Digambar Acharyas like Acharya Shantisagar, Acharya Vidyasagar, etc.

Lived extremely strict, barefoot, possession‑less lives, with strong fasting and full monastic discipline, inspiring lakhs of Jains. ( jainknowledge.com)

• Many Shwetambar Acharyas and Sadhus/Sadhvis

Who did long upvas, ayambil oli, sallekhana, and intense swadhyay and dhyan.

(c) Tapasvi among laypeople

Not only monks—many shravak–shravika have been great tapasvis:

• Those who regularly perform Ashta Maha Siddhi Tap, long upvas, ayambil, masakshaman, varshitap, etc., with humility, right faith, and no show‑off. ( jainknowledge.com)
• Those who finally accept sallekhna/santhara with complete equanimity and forgiveness.

Scriptures and Jain stories preserve lives of such tapasvis to inspire others.

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3. How to recognize a “major tapasvi” today

Outward signs (long fasts, severe food limits) are not enough. According to Jain principles, a real mahā‑tapasvi will have:

• Shanti (inner peace), not anger or irritation
• Vinay (deep humility), no ego about tapas
• Karuna (compassion, non‑violence) in thoughts, words, actions
• Detachment – simple life, very limited needs
• Constant dharma‑chintan – navkar, swadhyay, pratikraman, dhyan, not just empty starvation

If you wish to read more about tapas, siddhitap, and tapasvis, you can see:

• “What is Siddhi Tap”
• “Importance of Sidhitap”
• “SHOULD WE KEEP FUNCTIONS FOR TAPASVI”