In Jainism, “tapasvi” means one who practices deep austerities (tapas) with right faith and right conduct. There are countless such beings; scriptures do not give one fixed “official list”. But traditionally, some are especially remembered as mahā–tapasvi (great ascetics).

Below is a representative list, not complete, kept simple.

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1. Among Tirthankars (all are mahā–tapasvi)

All 24 Tirthankars are supreme tapasvis, but these are especially remembered for very intense austerities:

• Bhagwān Ṛishabhdev (Ādināth)

- First Tirthankar of current time-cycle. - Performed very long fasts and deep meditation. - Broke his first long fast with sugarcane juice given by King Śreyānsa.

• Bhagwān Nemināth

- 22nd Tirthankar. - Turned away from marriage on seeing animals to be slaughtered. - Performed strong renunciation and tapas on Mount Girnar.

• Bhagwān Pārśvanāth

- 23rd Tirthankar. - Protected the ascetic Kāmath (later his enemy) and is known for great forgiveness and tapas.

• Bhagwān Mahāvīr Swāmī

- 24th Tirthankar. - Did 12½ years of extremely severe austerities: - Very long fasts, - Deep meditation in difficult conditions, - Complete fearlessness and forgiveness.

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2. Other ancient scriptural tapasvis

These are not Tirthankars, but are famous in Jain stories and āgams for their tapas:

• Bahubali

- Son of Ṛishabhdev. - Performed very long meditation in kāyotsarga posture; ant-hills and vines grew around him. - Ideal of victory over inner enemies (anger, pride, deceit, greed).

• Varikhill Muni (Vārikill)

- Remembered as a very strong tapasvi in Jain tradition. - Did hard austerities and remained firm in equanimity.

• Chandanbālā

- Famous shravikā in the life of Mahāvīr. - Known for great patience, forgiveness and renunciation. - Finally offered food to Mahāvīr that broke his long fast.

• Gautam Swāmī

- Chief gaṇadhara (principal disciple) of Mahāvīr. - Noted in tradition for deep knowledge and serious practice of vows and austerities.

• Sudharmā Swāmī, Jambū Swāmī

- Later gaṇadharas / śrut-kevalīs. - Remembered as ideal monks living with strong tapas and perfect discipline.

(Names and emphasis may vary slightly between Digambar and Śvetāmbara traditions, but all accept these as great ascetics.)

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3. Historical / recent Digambar tapasvi saints

From Digambar tradition, some very well-known modern tapasvis are:

• Āchārya Śāntisāgar Ji

- Considered the “reviver” of Digambar muni tradition in modern times. - Famous for long fasts, strict vows and very simple living.

• Āchārya Vidyāsāgar Ji

- Well-known for very intense tapas and strict discipline. - Inspired many to take dīkshā and to adopt simple, principled life.

• Other Digambar munis and āryikās

- Many have done varṣītap, long upavās, ayambil oli, and other great austerities, but are less widely known by name outside their own sangh.

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4. Historical / recent Śvetāmbara tapasvi saints

From Śvetāmbara tradition, some widely respected tapasvis are:

• Āchārya Tulsi (Terāpanth)

- Known for strict discipline (Maryādā Mahotsav) and strong personal austerity. - Started Anuvrat movement focusing on vows and self-restraint.

• Āchārya Mahāpragya

- Disciple and successor of Āchārya Tulsi. - Practised long fasts and deep meditation (Prekṣā dhyān), and travelled only on foot for decades.

• Many other āchāryas, sadhus and sādhvīs

- Both mūrtipūjak and Sthānakvāsi / Terāpanth traditions have numerous monks and nuns known for varṣītap, multi‑month fasts, and lifelong strict observance of vows.

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5. Important points to remember

• Every true sadhu / sadhvī living the five great vows with austerity is a tapasvi.
• Many laypeople (śrāvaks and śrāvikās) also perform great tapas like:

- Ayambil, upavās, ekāṣaṇ, varṣītap, olī, - And mental tapas like forgiveness, humility, and equanimity.

So, there is no single fixed list; Jain tradition is full of countless known and unknown great tapasvis.

You can read a related discussion on major tapasvis here: