Question: What is the meaning of Karma?
AskAHindu.com Answer: Although referenced to Karma are often used to explain the phenomenon of cause and effect, its meaning is far more complex than to merely state ‘what goes around comes around,’ although that is the essence of its meaning.
The Hindu belief in Karma actually refers back much farther than a person’s current earthly life. Since reincarnation is a given to any Hindu, a person’s actions and behaviors in a previous life can either wreak havoc or bring graces to a person’s current life. More specifically, the word ‘karma’ refers mostly to the bad deeds done which will impinge on a person’s soul, or ‘atman’ during their rebirth, or ‘samsara.’

Question: What are the Primary Hindu Beliefs?
AskAHindu.com Answer: Hinduism is a very complex and deep set of beliefs and principles. Any attempt to briefly describe this set of beliefs can only scratch the surface of Hinduism. However, here is Hinduism in a nutshell:
There are three figures of holiness that are called upon by believers for certain situations. While the three figures have individual names, it is understood that all three beings represent one single ‘God’ figure. Those deities are as follows:
1. Shiva, also known as the Creator and the Destroyer of life. This is a male figure with ‘Parvati’ and ‘Durga’ representing his female counterparts.

2. Vishnu, also known as the Preserver of life and is incarnated as ‘Krishna’ or ‘Rama.’

3. Devi, also known as the Mother who protects all life
These three Hindu Gods are held close to the heart of a Hindu as three gods in one. In addition, the following beliefs are a part of Hinduism:
. Belief that the soul incarnates countless life forms and these grandness or baseness of these lives are dictated by the deeds of the previous life.

. Karma dictates the present and future experience. Karma can be affected by one’s thoughts, deeds, words and decisions.

. The goal of Nirvana which is the highest spiritual state of the soul. Once reached, a soul never has to return to flesh and blood on earth again and can live in peace for eternity.

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