Hinduism is a collection of religions that are based on Vedic principles. Despite the contradictions between the various versions of Hinduism, all of them are based on several specific fundamental provisions. Outside the ever-changing physical world, there is a single universal, unchanging, eternal spirit called Brahman. The soul (atman) of every creature in the universe, including the gods, is a particle of this spirit. When the flesh dies, the soul does not die but passes into another body, in which it continues a new life.
The fate of the soul in each new life depends on its behavior in previous incarnations. The law of karma states – no sin is left without punishment, and no virtue is left without reward. The behavior of a person determines the higher or lower status of the subsequent incarnation. In Hinduism, there are hundreds of deities, from small gods of local importance to great gods, whose deeds are known in every Indian family. The most famous are Vishnu, Rama and Krishna, two forms or incarnations of Vishnu, Siva (Shiva), and the creator god Brahma.