Hinduism - Defined. Here are two books as a reference to partly answer your question: "How the universe or world originated according to Hinduism, and Concepts behind hinduism.....as to why there’s something instead of nothing and how that something came into being!" Good Luck. 1. Thompson, Dr. Richard L. 1991. "Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy." The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Los Angeles, CA. 2. Frawley, Prof. David. 1991. "Gods, Sages and Kings." Passage Press, Salt Lake City, UT.