Department of Rasa Shastra & Bhaisajya Kalpana

The Department of Rasa Shastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana is a fundamental department of Ayurveda concerned with the pharmaceutical science of Ayurvedic medicines, including the processing, purification, preparation, preservation, quality assessment, and appropriate dosage forms of Rasaushadhi, herbal drugs, mineral and metallic substances, and other classical Ayurvedic formulations.

The Department focuses on the systematic understanding and practical application of classical pharmaceutical principles, including Shodhana, Marana, Bhavana, Murchana, Jarana, Amritikarana, Satvapatana and various methods of Bhaishajya Kalpana. It aims to provide students and research scholars with comprehensive, scientific and practical training in Ayurvedic pharmaceutics while maintaining the classical principles and standards of Ayurveda.

Government Ayurveda College and Hospital, Varanasi, located in the historic city of Varanasi, provides a rich academic environment rooted in India's cultural and Ayurvedic heritage. The Department of Rasa Shastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana actively contributes to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, pharmaceutical practical training, formulation development, quality assessment, research and academic activities.

The Department of Rasa Shastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana has been dedicatedly led by Prof. Sanjay Kumar Pandey since 2016. His academic vision, dedicated service, and dynamic leadership have made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the department. Under his able guidance, the department continues to progress in the fields of teaching, pharmaceutical training, research, formulation development, and academic activities, upholding the classical principles and values of Ayurveda while promoting their scientific advancement and application.

The Department provides hands-on exposure to the preparation of classical Ayurvedic dosage forms such as Churna, Kwatha, Vati/Gutika, Avaleha, Sneha Kalpana, Asava-Arishta and other formulations, along with practical training in the pharmaceutical processing of metals, minerals, gems and other Rasa Dravyas as prescribed in classical Ayurvedic texts.

Prof. Sanjay Kumar Pandey, H.O.D.

Dr. Ankit Kumar Gupta, Reader

Dr Atul Kumar, Lecturer

Dr Richa Pathak, Lecturer

Dr Niranjan Sonkar, Lecturer

Dr Arun Dutta Rajaoria, M.O. (Pharmacy Incharge)

Shree Dinesh Kumar Yadav, Lab Technician

Shree Suresh Chandra Yadav, Lab Technician

Shree Dileep Kumar Pathak, Junior Assistant

Shree Virendra Pratap Yadav, Museum Keeper

Shree Surendra Nath, Peon

1. To impart education and practical training to Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate students in the principles and practice of Rasa Shastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana.
2. To develop understanding and practical skills in the preparation of classical Ayurvedic formulations and dosage forms.
3. To train students and scholars in classical pharmaceutical procedures including Shodhana, Marana, Bhavana, Murchana, Jarana, Amritikarana and other relevant processes.
4. To facilitate understanding and appropriate application of quality-control, analytical and standardization techniques for Ayurvedic medicines.
5. To assist post-graduate scholars in formulation development, pharmaceutical evaluation, documentation and scientific research.
6. To promote scientific research and innovation while maintaining the fundamental principles, authenticity and originality of Ayurveda.

1.  Departmental Teaching Area – Facilities for classroom teaching, demonstrations and academic discussions.
2. Pharmaceutical Practical Area – Space and facilities for hands-on preparation and demonstration of Ayurvedic formulations.
3. Rasa Shastra Laboratory – Facilities for practical training in the processing and preparation of Rasa Dravyas and classical mineral and metallic formulations.
4. Bhaishajya Kalpana Facilities – Resources for preparation and demonstration of various classical Ayurvedic dosage forms.
5. Charts, Models and Reference Resources – Educational charts, models, classical texts, reference books, journals and academic material related to Rasa Shastra, Bhaishajya Kalpana and allied subjects.
6. Research Facilities – Academic and research support for post-graduate scholars and faculty for pharmaceutical, analytical, formulation-development and experimental work, as applicable.
7. The Department of Rasa Shastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana provides specialized clinical services through dedicated Out-Patient Departments (OPDs). OPD No. 5 functions as a specialized clinic for Vajikarana, catering to patients requiring Ayurvedic management and counselling related to reproductive and sexual health. The OPD is conducted on Tuesday and Saturday. OPD No. 6 provides specialized Ayurvedic care for skin disorders, including conditions such as Kushtha, Dadru, Vipadika, and other related dermatological conditions. This OPD is conducted on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. These specialized clinical services provide patients with comprehensive Ayurvedic assessment and management while also offering valuable clinical training and practical exposure to students and Post-Graduate scholars.

The Department conduct lectures, pharmaceutical practical demonstrations, formulation preparation, weekly seminars, tutorials, research-related academic activities, demonstrations of classical pharmaceutical procedures and other activities as per the academic schedule and institutional requirements.

1. PG Academic & Research Activities – Post-Graduate scholars of the department undertake academic and research work (a journey from classical dosage forms to advanced dosage form ) in Rasa Shastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana as per the prescribed curriculum and institutional requirements.
2. Classical Formulation Development – The department promotes practical understanding and scientific evaluation of classical Ayurvedic formulations and dosage forms.
3. Pharmaceutical & Analytical Research – Research activities may include pharmaceutical processing, formulation development, quality assessment, analytical evaluation and standardization of Ayurvedic medicines.
4. Academic & Professional Contributions – Present and former scholars of the department contribute to Ayurveda through teaching, pharmaceutical research, clinical support, formulation development and professional services.
5. Career Progression of PG Scholars – The department contributes towards developing skilled professionals with knowledge and practical competencies in Rasa Shastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana.
6. Successful PG Alumni -  The department has a strong record of successful post graduate scholars, with several alumni successfully completing their PG training and progressing into academic, clinical and government healthcare and academic posts.