I came across this Robert Frost quote:
“And were an epitaph to be my story, I’d have a short one ready for my own. I would have written of me on my stone: I had a lover’s quarrel with the world.”
And now I very much want that last line to be tattooed on me–but, I have a policy that any tattoo idea must be subjected to a 1-yr. waiting period.
And so the wait begins.
Other things in the queue:
The brahmavihara, in Sanskrit (I emailed Sanskrit professors in 3 different countries to get this), possibly within a lotus. (On the site, they’re written in Pali, hence the spelling difference.)
and a Cedar tree.
Footsteps On Concrete 
Hi,
I’m the same as you in that I have a one year cool off period from when I decide I want a tattoo until I actually get it! My ideas tend to evolve in that time as well, so it’s probably a good thing (for me at least) as well…
I am also looking to get the brahmavihara tattooed, but as opposed to the 4 different ones, I simply want the word brahmavihara. Could you tell me if the image you have attached with the word is the Sanskrit version that you received from the different professors?
Thanks!
Sophie
P.S. Love the dandelion tattoo as well.
Hi Sophie!
It makes sense, right? Wait a year now, save loads on tattoo removal later. 🙂
Cool to find someone else who even knows what the brahmavihara are! To answer your question, yes, that is what I received from the professors. If you want, I can email that image to you in a pdf so that you can see it bigger. Just out of curiosity, where are you thinking of putting it? I still haven’t decided where I want mine.
This is the new one I’m looking at in honor of my upcoming move to Australia. I’m thinking right shoulder/back. (But smaller.)
Yes I hadn’t heard of it but I practise a lot of yoga, and was trying to find a word that encapsulated the philosophy and serenity of it. I think I may get it in Tibetan though, as personally I prefer how it looks. I want to get it on my ribs at the front/side, just under my boobs. Painful but I love them there! I knew I wanted a tattoo there but it’s only recently I’ve decided what I want, so now I have to force myself to have the cooling off period even though I want to get it now!
If you could still email me the pdf so I have it to compare that would be great, thanks very much. (I think you should have my email address with this – let me know if not)
So, did you end up getting the brahmavihara tattoo. I’m wanting to get the same (4 words) on my forearm(s). I’d greatly appreciate it if you could send me the PDF or JPG of the pic you posted above of the sanskrit. It’s hard to get reliable translations, and yours seems pretty solid. jedthorp@hotmail.com
No, I still haven’t gotten it–mostly because I keep going back and forth over placement, and whether or not I want to include a lotus. Sure, I’m happy to send it to you. Good luck! Let me know how it turns out!
Hi! I’m also wondering if you wouldn’t mind sending me the enlarged picture of the sanskrit translations. This is the only place online I found someone who had verified the translations! And I’ve been looking for months. Thanks so much. christinagandolfo (at) gmail (dot) com
Hey Sophie – I was looking for verifications of the sanskrit for maitri and came across this page. Did you really email professors to verify the translation? If so, I am hoping you can send me the enlarged image as well. I’d greatly appreciate it. Thanks! – Liz
Hey Liz!
My apologies for the ridiculous delay in response!! Yes, I really did email them. If Sophie didn’t get back to you, I can send you what I have.
Hello J,
I’ve been looking at having the Brahmavihara tattoo on my forearm for quite some time now. in trying to research it in sanskrit yours seems to be the most accurate I’ve found. (not that I know a lot of sanskrit). Could you send me the PDF of it, please? I can’t enlarge the image from the web. Would appreciate it, and much metta to you also.
Thanks, Rick
my email is mysoapmyi87@gmail.com