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(R102 v1 dtd. 18.4.2020 / C112aP31– Nana Lele) 1 -3

SHASAN (शासन) – Political & General
Shasan (शासन) in general represents operational activities (governance) in certain disciplined
manner applicable to various topics and in various models. Generally, Shasan (शासन) is referred
to political and administrative governance through a group of people elected by the citizen to
represent them.

Political and administrative governance

It largely represents public governance. Therefore, includes legislators, ministers, bureaucrats
committees, panchayats etc. and all the independent institutions and judiciary.
Deen Dayal ji in his lectures1 says that India always enjoyed / expected shasan based on
Dharma. Dharm here means comprehensive moral code rather than religion /majahab /panth.

In the past, the British and thereafter the Anglicized Indians translated the term erroneously. It
worsened further as a state and Nation where presumed to be the same. In ancient Indian,
ethos and culture, the nation created state as also all the other institutions of governance.

Shasan (शासन) in Bhaaratey perspective

Mahabharat describes how in Krutyug governance was only based on Dharma. There was no
king, no judiciary, no executive but all protected one another under guidance of principles of
Dharm, The main duty of the ruler was to see that Dharm prevailed. The king in his crowning
ceremony was told that Dharma supersedes you, and this was done in a public ceremony.

Shantiparv in Mahabharat describes a great ruler as:

दण्डनीत्यां यदय रयजय सम्यक् कार्त्स्न्येन वर्तर्े।

र्दय कृर्युगां नयम कयलः श्रे ष्ठः प्रवर्तर्े।। 12-69

Daṇḍanītyāṃ yadā rājā samyak kārtsnyena vartate

tadā kṛtayugaṃ nāma kālaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ pravartate

Connotation: A great ruler has to be always the reason for better times for his subjects. When a ruler
ensures law and order with utmost sanctity (based on Dharm) , great times called Krutyug (Satyayug)
come in effect for his nation.

Bharateey Daishik shastra2 states that the bureaucrats are required with the divine qualities
who can be so developed by proper samskaras. Ideally if the nation can be completely by
abiding Dharma that will be best. Shasan can be of three types (1) Efficient shasan (2)
Representative shasan (3) Shasan by inheritance. However, Merit based shasan is the best. ..