The legacy of Kaviraj Gananath Sen: Bridging traditions in Ayurveda

Abstract Kaviraj Gananath Sen (1877–1945) was a distinguished scholar and physician who significantly refurbished Ayurveda knowledge and practice. He integrated traditional Ayurvedic principles with modern medical knowledge, becoming a licensed physician at the age of 20 years. He was instrumental in establishing the Ayurvedic Faculty at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, and founded the Vishwanath Ayurved Mahavidyalaya in Calcutta, now Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Despite resistance, he authored influential texts like Pratyaksa Sareeram and Siddantha Nidana , merging ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with modern anatomy. Globally, his paper on “Hindu Medicine” disseminated Ayurvedic principles. He served as the President of the annual conferences of the Akhila Bharata Varshiya Ayurveda Mahasammelan , held in Allahabad in 1911, Indore in 1920, and Mysore in 1931. Additionally, he was the President of the Nikhila Bharata Ayurveda Vidyapeeth for many years. In 1935, he also presided over the “Tridosha Sambhasha Parishad” at BHU. His enduring legacy continues to shape contemporary Ayurvedic practice and education.