I have been reflecting on the question of what makes indian traditions unique, if there is something that could be called the core of Indian Traditions which might help guide better our understanding of the traditions. Slowly i am beginning to isolate a key common thread that occurs across all of the indian traditions. It could be stated as – 
                                                    
                                                Everything has its approprate place and appropriate time

This is the key concept that could guide us understand what Indian traditions considered as problems and what did they propose as solutions. Unlike west, indian tradition have had no problems with variety or differences. Even though we parrot lines such as “all religions are the same” or “we are all equal”, tradition takes inequality as a fact of life and therefore unproblematic. The problem occurs when things are out of their place and/or happen at inappropriate times.  Let us understand this concept with few examples –

Considered Unproblematic

1. There are few with a lot of wealth and vast numbers of poor people
2. Good things happen to bad people, bad things to good people

And the list is endless!

What do i mean by unproblematic? It means there is no solution to it since it is not a problem. In other words, there is nothing we can do to change them. All the projects and programs that are created, in good faith, to eradicate poverty or bring justice will not achieve its aim as poverty and injustice will continue despite our best efforts. This sounds very cold hearted but i think we will have to suspend our judgement until the whole story is told. The question is should we not fight injustice?  should we accept it as a part of life? Let us see examples of what tradition considers problematic –

Considered Problematic

1. An old lady trying to act like a teen – the problem here is things are happening at improper time. The advise tradition would give is to act according to the age and station in life.
2. Teaching someone who has no interest or not teaching someone who has interest.
3. One desiring to be like another – improper place

and the list goes on!

In other words, things as they are, are not problematic. The problem arises when they become inappropriate to a given context. Anger is neither good nor bad. Its appropriateness determines whether it is good or bad. Anger against oppression is appropriate but its not when its directed at someone who happens to be different from us.

So revisiting our previous question, if poverty is not a problem then what is? According to tradition, unhappiness is! So poverty has always been and will always be in the world, what needs solving is how would you make people happy being whatever they are. I think it is a different and a fresh perspective on the problems we face in life and will need serious consideration.

Concluding

Things that are not in their proper place and in proper time are problematic. Every station in life has its own solution to its problems. This explains why Krishna says it is better to pursue one’s actions even though defective, than to imitate others’ more perfect actions.