subject: Tattoo Designs - 2 Sanskrit Tattoo Designs And Their Meaning [print this page] Sanskrit is an ancient language that goes back about 3500 years. It still survives today in Hindu and Buddhist sacred writings and liturgy. Wearing Sanskrit tattoo designs can give us a strong connection to this ancient spirituality. It has made somewhat of a revival in recent times: Madonna has used it in at least two of her songs; a choir sang Sanskrit verses at the end of the final film in the Matrix Trilogy and again in Star Wars Episode 1.
Sanskrit Texts Tattoos
There are 700 concise verses in the Bhagavad-Gita. Lord Krishna spoke these to his disciple Arjuna. They are said to provide a definitive guide to the science of self-realization.
You can either use one of the many verses or have your own transalated into Sanskrit. It is worthwhile doing some research. Mind you, not a lot of people will know but there are those who will. This is important if you choose any of the verses, as a number of people will know if they are wrong. At least two celebrities are wearing verses with the wrong spelling - so someone has noticed. It is worth questioning your artist to make sure he or she has some knowledge or experience in writing the language.
You do need to do some research. The verse form lends itself to use as Sanskrit tattoos as each verse contains its own message. It works well as an armband, as the writing has a chain-like appearance. For those who want others to read the words, and so the message, they can be placed on the back, where the letters can be bigger and easier to read.
The Aum or Ohm Tattoo
Aum is the sound a Hindu and Buddhist makes when at prayer. The Aum in Hinduism is described as the Sound of Light, the Sound of the Sun. It symbolizes the impersonal Absolute, which incorporates all forms of life. It is said to represent ultimate reality in sound and form. In Hindu dharma the letters (A-U-M) represents the Trinity of Godas an armband tattoo (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). Consequently, the sacred symbol is found throughout the Hindu and Buddhist world.
According to Buddha's teaching, the sound of oneself helped in meditation as it ocncentrated the mind. In this way a person would not only hear the physical sound but, eventually, the sound of the divine. The Aum tattoo symbol can connect us to an ancient spirituality, an ancient wisdom, a philosophy and guide to living, which has withstood the test of time. This symbol, combined with a favorite Sanskrit verse, could be a constant reminder of the path you want to follow.
