With pure and uncontaminated love, it is possible to attain salvation. This is the easiest way to attain God's grace. Devotion does not have the differentiation of caste, creed or religion. The story of Tinnadu is the best example. It is very good. Tinnadu is the son of Nāthanatha of Udumūru. From childhood itself, he had great devotion for Shiva. That is why, he was named as Tinnadu. One day, in the afternoon, when Tinnadu went for hunting, after roaming in the forest took rest under a tree. Then Shiva came in his dream and said, "O boy! Shiva has come to a hill nearby. Serve him with devotion." Tinnadu woke up but he could not see anyone except a wild boar around. Seeing him, the boar started running. Tinnadu followed and finally reached a Shiva linga. He prostrated to that divine linga and asked, "O Swamy! Why are you here in this fierce hilly region where tigers and lions roam about? Come to our village. I will cook varieties of flesh and birds for you. I will offer you honey and also different fruits. If you do not come with me, I will not go home." Meanwhile, his friends were searching for him and they finally found him near the Shiva linga. They said, "If we leave you here and go, what should we answer to your parents and siblings? Hence, you must immediately come with us." Tinnadu smilingly said, "I do not have any relatives or friends other than Shiva. I will come only if he comes with me. Else, I will stay at the place where he resides." Later, Tinnadu burnt the flesh of a pig in the forest and offered it to Shiva. But, he did not come despite many prayers. He did not even respond. Grievous Tinnadu was about to give up his life. Shiva became happy for his devotion and appeared in front of him. In this manner, Tinnadu spent lot of his time in the Lord's service. Both Shiva as well as Tinnadu were happy. One day, while doing milk ablutions to Shiva, the priest observed the left over pieces of flesh in the sanctum sanctorum. He felt very sad and ponded over the reason behind it. He asked Shiva, "What is this? Why is this all here?" Shiva said to the brahmin, "A hunter is worshipping me with immense devotion and I am accepting his devotion. I will show you how strong his devotion is. You go and hide behind me." The priest had hidden himself behind the lingam. Tinnadu came and offered different items to Shiva. But the Lord did not touch. Also, one of the eyes of the Lord was bleeding. Tinnadu felt that the Lord is unable to eat because of the eye pain. Hence, he applied an ayurvedic paste to Shiva's eye. But still the bleeding did not stop. Then, he pierced an arrow into his eye, plucked it out and attached it to Shiva. The bleeding did not stop. Instead, this time even the second eye started to bleed. He felt that he would offer his second eye as well. Even after that if the bleeding did not stop, then he decided that he would give his life. With one of his slippers, he held Shiva's bleeding eye and plucked out his second eye with the arrow. Immediately, Shiva, adorning a trident, appeared along with Parvathi. The priest observed all this from behind. Then, Tinnadu and the brahmin prayed to them. Pleased with the devotion, Lord blessed Tinnadu with salvation. May you all attain such pure devotion. I pray Lord Datta.
Om Namah Shivaya!