In Śvetāmbara Jain tradition, mahāsatīs are highly revered, but they are generally not given the title of Ācārya because Ācārya is a specific monastic office in the male ascetic lineage. This is a matter of vīdhī, maryādā, and ācāra-paramparā within the order—not a judgment about spiritual purity or attainment.

Key point

• Mahāsatī = very senior and highly respected female ascetic
• Ācārya = head of the monastic order, traditionally a male role in Śvetāmbara institutional structure

So the difference is about administrative and disciplinary role, not about who is more spiritually powerful.

Why Mallināthjī became Tīrthaṅkara

This is a different matter altogether. A Tīrthaṅkara is not appointed by any sect or institution. A Tīrthaṅkara status comes from special karmic cause, intense purity, and Tīrthaṅkara-nāma-karma.

So:

• Ācārya = a role within the saṅgha
• Tīrthaṅkara = an exalted spiritual status attained by karmic fruition

They are not comparable in the same way.

Important sect difference

Also, note that Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions differ in their understanding of Mallināthjī:

• Śvetāmbara tradition accepts Mallināthjī as female
• Digambara tradition accepts Mallināthjī as male

So when comparing, the answer depends on which tradition’s doctrine is being followed.

In short

Śvetāmbara do not usually make mahāsatīs Ācārya because:

1. Ācārya is a defined monastic post in the male ascetic order
2. Mahāsatīs already have their own respected leadership roles
3. Tīrthaṅkara status is not an institutional appointment; it is the result of extraordinary karma

If you want, I can also explain this in simple Gujarati or Hindi in Jain terminology.