Shabari

One more story from Satya's blog:

In the Ramayana, after Sita has been abducted, Rama and Lakshmana search for Sugriva, the monkey King, to help them and are directed to the banks of Lake Pampa.

The ascetics of the hermitage who lived there had passed away but there still lived one who served them, a mendicant woman named Shabari. Rama addressed her and said: 'Have you overcome all obstacles to asceticism, O One of gentle speech? Do your austerities increase daily? Have you subdued your anger and your need for food? O Solitary One, have you observed your vows and attained inner tranquillity? Has your attendance on your Guru borne fruit?'

The virtuous Shabari, revered by the gods, extremely aged, offered Him homage and said: 'Blessed by your presence, I have acquired perfection and my asceticism is crowned. Today my birth has borne fruit and the service of my Gurus has been fully honored. Today my pious practices have found fulfillment. O Foremost of Men, Greatest of the Celestials, worshipping you, I shall attain the heavenly realm from which no one returns.' . . .

She gave them a tour of the hermitage, showing them the wonders of the ashrama and then asked if she could take her leave. Rama experienced great delight and exclaimed: 'Wonderful it is!'

Thereafter, addressing Shabari of ascetic practices, he said: 'O Holy One, I have been fully honored by you; now go where you will and be happy.' Having received permission from Rama to depart, Shabari, wearing matted locks, robes of bark and a black antelope skin, cast herself into the fire, thereafter rising into the air like a bright flame. (Shastri, v. 2, pp. 154-158)