Answer

In Jain Dharma, there is no single universal answer that “Atthai, Updhan, or Navanu is greatest” for everyone.

The greatness of any tap depends on:

• Bhav — inner purity, humility, and devotion
• Samyak drashti — right faith and understanding
• Kasay ni mandata — reduction of anger, ego, deceit, and greed
• Niyam ane shraddha — discipline and sincerity

If done with pure bhav, all three are highly respected tapas.

Explanation

• Atthai means fasting for eight days. It is a very difficult external tap and requires strong physical and mental discipline.
• Updhan is a deep religious discipline involving niyams, study, worship, austerity, and spiritual routine. It is not only fasting, but also a structured sadhana.
• Navanu is a very devotional and spiritually intense tap connected with pilgrimage and repeated worship, especially associated with Shatrunjay Tirth in many Jain traditions.

So, if we compare only physical difficulty, one may appear greater. But in Jain Dharma, inner purification is more important than outer difficulty.

Spiritual Understanding

A smaller tap done with humility and pure soul-consciousness can be spiritually greater than a bigger tap done with pride.

For example:

• If someone does Atthai with ego, its spiritual value decreases.
• If someone does Updhan with deep devotion and discipline, it becomes very powerful.
• If someone does Navanu with pure bhav and vairagya, it becomes highly uplifting.

In Jain Dharma, the true purpose of tap is not showing strength, but reducing karma and purifying the soul.

Takeaway

The greatest tap is the one done with the purest bhav.

Among Atthai, Updhan, and Navanu, all are great. But spiritually, bhav, vinay, and inner transformation are greater than the name or size of the tap.