F.A.Q.

Here are the process steps:

1. You check out the site and decide to go ahead.
2. You fill out the request form with your requirements including text, size, style. (Link in top menu and bottom footer)
3. We discuss over email, the details, suggestions, clarification etc.
4. Once we both have no more questions, you make payment via PayPal.
5. I send you drafts, you finalize one design. I send you final print-ready PDF file with translation details, multiple sizes of the final text, and instructions.

You may want to start off with checking out the three pages – FAQ (this page), Common Errors and Request Your Tattoo Now. Check the Menu for the links to the pages.

Also, check out the Blog Posts about some of my work.

During the process of your Sanskrit tattoos project, there will be detailed email discussions to understand your needs, clarify any doubts (as needed), and make any suggestions and recommendations.

Once there are no more questions from either side, you make the payment, and I send your some drafts, and you finalize one.

At the end of the process, this is what you will get:

• correct and authentic translation of the spirit of your phrase/message (not just literal dictionary lookup)
• word by word explanation of the translation,
• beautifully written text,
• properly sized images (multiple sizes if needed, e.g. 4, 4.5, 5 inches sizes)
• print-ready PDF file to create the stencil, thus ensuring error free tattoo.
• Post-inking verification is also free.
• You can get the tattoo done from any studio that can make stencils.
• An audio file for the correct pronunciation of the Sanskrit text for an slight extra charge.

There are four options on style.

1. COMPUTER FONTS.

I provide the text in about ten varied computer fonts, you choose one that you like.
Pros: fast, lower price, good for large text.
Cons: not unique, no persobal touch, some rare/complex ligatures maybe missing.

2. HANDWRITTEN CALLIGRAPHY.

I write the text myself in various (4-6) styles like stylus pen, round pen, mix of both, extra flares, curves etc. Writing is still linear, in one line.
Pros: unique (no one else will ever have the exact same writing), beautiful, no limitation of fonts on rare/complex ligatures, personal touch.
Cons: takes a bit longer time than computer fonts, slightly more expensive than computer fonts. You may get emotionally attached to it!

3. COMBO

This is a combo price for both the two options above. You get both computer font and handwritten texts. I would suggest this only if you really can’t make up your mind over handwritten or computer fonts. Usually handwritten is the best option.
Pros: you get to see your exact text in both forms.
Cons: more time, more money since you finally will only ink one of them.

4. CUSTOM DESIGN

This option is where the text doesn’t have to be linear. Any and all design options are open, but they have to be about the text. I don’t draw art and images. Some examples when you may want to use this option is – circular, half circle designs, writing in a way that it gives hint to the message itself (e.g. incorporating heart, flame, uplift etc in the writing itself!)
Pros: full freedom for creativity, extremely satisfying for a really precious tattoo.
Cons: more time, discussion and price. Can cause emotional breakdown with extreme joy! 🙂

No. And for very good reasons too. Because there are many ways errors can creep in Sanskrit writing, if one is not careful.

If you want me to do translation, I would also like to do the writing (by hand or computer fonts)

Check out the page on Common Errors before you decide to ‘Do-It-Yourself’ if only you had the translation.

Yes, and it is even free – for first time. Maybe you already got a translation from some other source and just want to verify if you got what you paid for.

But please don’t ask 20 questions with 20 different translations 

And do not simply copy words from online Sanskrit dictionaries and keep verifying. That is not the purpose of free verification.

You can’t translate just because you got a dictionary, you need to know the language to some extent.

No!

Even for modern European languages, the translations are not 100% correct. For Indian languages it is still not good.

And for Sanskrit, not only there are no online translators, the nuances of the language are many. You don’t want to ink on your body, what a machine thought your emotions meant.

Yes, there are many online dictionaries available for Sanskrit.

A dictionary is helpful only if you already know the language.

Would you trust someone – who doesn’t speak, read, write or understand English, but has access to English dictionary in another language – to be able to translate the sentiments of your tattoo text?

Similarly, it is not possible to translate in Sanskrit just by using a dictionary unless you already know the language very well.

There are many Sanskrit words for a given English word, so which one to choose? That would depend upon what you mean by your original word.

For example, by the word ‘free’, you may be trying to convey one who :

• is independent (like an independent country)
• does what one chooses (free will, maybe even irresponsible)
• has no responsibility (has not or cares not)
• is not trapped (maybe set free or escaped on own)
• has broken the chains (escaped on own effort)
• is available at no charge

Which one to pick? Depends on what you want to convey!

I started this service in 2011 because it hurt me to see many Sanskrit tattoos with error and/or not written beautifully.

I run a popular Sanskrit site and FB page with over 35,000 followers; have written a book on Sanskrit Maxims; created Sanskrit workbooks for script, and offer online videos on Sanskrit wisdom; and have double degree in Computer Science.

I have the balance of analytical and poetic mind, and have lived for two decades in US, hence exposure of both Indian and Western cultures and communication/expressions.

I can provide insights into Yoga, spiritual, philosophical, religious or life wisdom to decide a beautiful message – all based on wisdom scattered all over Sanskrit literature.

After helping well over a thousand souls, and reading their grateful emails afterwards, I feel very blessed to have made positive difference in their lives for a lifetime!

Check out the page on Common Errors found on the net to know why you should let an expert help you with your important project of a permanent tattoo.

• • Sanskrit translation and computer fonts are not as straightforward as you might want them to be.
  • You need someone who actually understands the language, not someone who can Google an online Sanskrit dictionary.
  • You also want someone who can feel the original English message for its nuances, and also feel and think in Sanskrit to express it appropriately.
  • Translation is not just of words, it is of meaning, in context, sometimes poetic.
  • Font rendering issues are real. Real bad. Without an image, there is no guarantee of error-free tattoo.
  • I have authored a book, multiple workbooks and popular Sanskrit website and FB page in Sanskrit.
  • I can provide insights into Yoga, spiritual, philosophical, religious or life wisdom to decide a beautiful message – all based on wisdom scattered all over Sanskrit literature.
  • I will help you along the way to decide what will suit best, what shades of translation are possible and what would be a better choice. 

After payment is made, it can take anywhere from 1-5 days depending upon what you ordered, how fast you reply to emails and how busy I am!

Don’t rush, it is a permanent tattoo on your body, plan it out in advance.

Files are sent via email.

Depending upon where in the world you are, it can take 8-10 hours before you will see my reply. So provide all the relevant information, as much as possible, when filling out the form.

If you have a genuine need for faster turnaround, please let me know in email, and I will let you know if I can meet your deadline.

Did you send a follow-up/test email after filling out the form?

I try to reply all mails within 12 to 24 hours. If I genuinely am not able to reply within reasonable time, please do message through the Facebook page or send me an email. You can even send WhatsApp message. (See bottom footer for ways to contact)

Most common cause for ‘no response’ is that my reply is sitting in your spam folder. Please check your spam folder, and mark my mail as ‘Not spam’ if it was classified as such.

To ensure I can contact you with my reply, please do one or more of these (See bottom footer for contact info, or the contact page):

• Send an email even after filling out the form.
• Check your spam folder in mail if my reply ended up there.
• Send a WhatsApp message with your name, email etc so I can identify you.
• Send a FaceBook message to the Page Admin. That way I can message you if you forget to read your mail.

PayPal allows you to use almost any card credit or debit, and you don’t need to create PayPal account just for this one time payment. On the PayPal page, simply choose the link for using other cards.

If you don’t have any means of paying online, you may want to ask help from a friend or family member who can.

Currently, I can only accept payment via PayPal .

Yes, you can.

Mostly, the adjustments afterwards are limited to resizing, or minor changes to the final image. It doesn’t involve rewriting, or combining and mixing elements from the multiple styles I send.

Each writing is consistent within its own self, and mix and match between them is not a good idea. For more involved designs and decisions, choose Option #4. If you have any concerns, ask in email.

The pricing is not based on number of letters.

When you need a tattoo, you need the whole text, and translation can be made in various ways to increase or decrease the text.

So, my price is by ‘a short Sanskrit sentence’ length, usually 4-5 words.

The final price depends on what option you choose (computer typed font or handwritten calligraphy or custom design), the length of your text, and the final translation.

Don’t worry, we will work things out. If you have a genuine budget constraint, let me know.

Yes, please mention so when you order! They are at an extra nominal charge.