According to Osho, Mahavira told renunciates not to show deference to householders to avoid honoring ignorance and inflating the householder’s ego. Bowing to one “asleep” only deepens his sleep; withholding deference serves as a compassionate shock that may puncture illusions of security. The rule wasn’t license for monkly pride or claims to worship—true sainthood remains simple, humble, egoless.
He didn’t want monks to feed a householder’s ego or dreams; not bowing helps wake them up without making monks feel superior.