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92 Išānašivagurudevapaddhati is eligible to consecrate kings, ordinary people and ladies desirous of getting worldly prosperity. There is another ritual called Mahābhişeka for which an Acārya or priest becomes eligible. Only an accomplished priest is concecrated by this special ritual. अथाचार्योऽभिषेकार्हो वृत्तवान् शीलवान् शुचिः ।
प्रशस्तदेशजो विद्वान् प्रशस्तोदितलक्षणः ॥ सबीजदीक्षया सम्यग् दीक्षितो विजितेन्द्रियः ।
सम्यक् साधितमन्त्रश्च निग्रहानुग्रहक्षम ।। The priest who intends to perform the Mahābhişeka--the great consecration should set out for a pilgrimage. Then he should lead the life of a hermit for sometime on the banks of a holy river or in a forest. On his return he should begin the preliminary vows. A special Mandapa is to be erected and decorated as the venue of the rite. Conches, potfuls of sacred water, jewels, incenses, flowers. medicinal herbs, clothes etc., are to be arranged in the hall in their allotted places. The conches consist of sixteen varieties each known under a different name. There are eight pots similarly named. Jewels belong to ten classes. Seeds are of seven kinds. The priest is ceremonially taken to the hall to the accompaniment of music and beating of drums. He is to be taken inside the hall near the idol of Siva. The following is the form of the prayer to be made. त्वत्प्रसादेन भगवन् एष प्राप्तस्त्वदाज्ञया। .
महाभिषेकमाचार्यों
भवत्वद्यप्रभृत्ययम् ॥
इति विज्ञाप्य देवेशं शिवेनोक्तस्तथास्त्विति ।
विसृज्य देवमग्नि च कलशान् शङ्खतोरणान् ॥
After the coronation it is his duty to perform his duties which include initiation of others to his fold, explanation of the Agama texts, installation of the idols of gods, performance of sacrifices and chanting of Mantras.
Those who could not afford to perform the Mahābhişeka cere mony could conduct a ceremony which is less expensive. This vow is called Cirņācāryāvrata.
