THE absence of a moral code, binding on all, reinforced the doctrinal bias in Hinduism for the individual over the community. There were, of course, the loyalties of kin, clan and caste. At first glance it would appear that these could provide a transcending framework for the individual to acquire a wider and collective vision. But, paradoxically, these were too narrow categories, while blurring a sense of obligation to the community as a whole. The fact of the matter is that whether as a result of his religious inheritance, or the rigidities of the social structure to which he belonged, or the absence of a moral imperative which stressed collective values, the average Hindu middle-class person had a very undeveloped sense of social sensitivity to the overall good of his community. He attached little priority to an altruistic interface with society. His motivation to contribute to its betterment, without the notion of personal gain, was weak. He saw no great reason why he should identify his personal welfare with the well-being of even his immediate environment. His concerns were restricted to himself, his family, and, at a lower scale, his clan or caste. His cosmic view held an individual to be a microcosm unto himself. There was no need for his path to meander into the needs of others, who, even if they were obviously in need of succour, were only suffering the consequences of their own karmas.