Answer

In Jain monastic tradition, Sadhviji Maharaj bows to Sadhu Maharaj because the order of reverence follows the traditional monastic hierarchy, where the Sadhu order is given senior ritual position over the Sadhvi order.

A Sadhu Maharaj generally does not bow to Sadhviji Maharaj because, according to traditional Jain discipline, the formal act of vandan is performed in that hierarchical direction.

Explanation

In Jain Dharma, bowing is not meant as ordinary social respect or disrespect. It is a disciplined religious act connected with:

• Vinay — humility and reverence
• Maryada — monastic order and discipline
• Guru-parampara — traditional lineage and hierarchy
• Sangh-vyavastha — orderly functioning of the Jain community

Traditionally, the Jain Sangh is described in four parts:

• Sadhu
• Sadhvi
• Shravak
• Shravika

In that formal order, Sadhus are placed before Sadhvis. Because of this, Sadhvijis offer formal vandan to Sadhus, while Sadhus do not perform the same formal vandan to Sadhvijis.

This does not mean that Sadhvijis are spiritually insignificant or that they lack respect. Sadhvijis are renunciants who have accepted great vows and are deeply worthy of reverence from laypeople.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma teaches that the soul has no gender. Liberation is related to purification of the soul, destruction of karma, right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

However, while living in the worldly and monastic structure, traditions maintain certain rules of discipline. These rules are part of monastic maryada, not a statement that one soul is inferior to another.

So the bowing custom should be understood as:

• a matter of monastic discipline,
• not personal superiority,
• not lack of respect,
• and not judgment of inner spiritual purity.

Takeaway

Sadhviji Maharaj bows to Sadhu Maharaj because of traditional Jain monastic order and maryada. Sadhu Maharaj does not bow back in the same formal way, not out of disrespect, but because Jain monastic discipline follows a fixed hierarchy of vandan.