Chandaka

A tribal who earned salvation through shivalinga puja. Once, while he was out hunting, he chanced upon a ruined temple. He was saddened by the sight of the shivalinga which was in disrepair. The Panchala king Simhaketu came by then and Chandaka told him about the temple and asked whether there was a way for a tribal to worship the linga. The king replied that if he smeared himself with ash from a cremation ground, it was fine. From then on, the tribal, along with his wife Pulindi began worshiping the idol. One day, the ash ran out. Pulindi said that she would kill herself and Chandaka could cremate her and use the ash. He agreed reluctantly. The next day, she killed herself and Chandaka used the ash. He called out to Pulindi after he was done praying and to his surprise, she appeared hale and hearty before him. A divine vehicle reached there then and took them both to Shivaloka as per Shivapurana Shambaramahatmya.