Virarajendra Chola (1002 – 1070) was a Chola emperor. A son of Rajendra I, he spent a majority of his life as a subordinate to two of his elder brothers, Rajadhiraja I and Rajendra II. During his early reign, he founded a school to study the Vedas, Sastras and grammar, with a hostel for students. He also founded a hospital named Virasolan. The famous Tamil Buddhist grammatical work, Virasoliyam [ta], was written by Buddhamitra during his reign.

Virarajendra’s reign occurred in a period when the Chola Empire was trying to both expand its boundaries and preserve its existing territories, but was hindered by the death of Virarajendra’s eldest brother and king, Rajadhiraja I, and the short rule of Virarajendra's elder brother, Rajendra II.

In total, the three brothers ruled for 16–20 years altogether, succeeding one another. The traditional enemies and subordinates of the Cholas: the Singhalas (Ceylon), the Pandyas, and the Chera Perumals, took advantage of the instability by attempting to break free or wage war against the Chola. Virarajendra was described as a capable and brave ruler, who was kind and protective of his subjects, reimposed authority on Chola dominions, and was ruthless to the Chalukyas and the Pandyas. His own rule lasted for less than 10 years, and is depicted by various inscriptions in Karur. He succeeded not only in preserving Chola territories, but also in making overseas conquests in far-off lands such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Nicobar.

Virarajendra was posted as the Chola viceroy of Sri Lanka by his elder brother Rajadhiraja Chola during the early part of the latter's reign. Subsequently, during the reign of his other elder brother Rajendra Chola II, he served as the Lord of Uraiyur.

Virarajendra fought many battles against the Western Chalukya Empire, the main catalyst for these conflicts being the Chola interest in the Vengi Chalukyas. He fought the Western Chalukyas near Visaiyavadai (modern Vijayawada) and routed the Western Chalukyas on the banks of the river Krishna and re-asserted Chola authority over the domains of the Eastern Chalukyas. He also invaded Singhala Nadu (Ceylon) and ruthlessly crushed attempts by the Singhala kings to free their kingdom from Chola control.

During the early period of his reign, Virarajendra fought and killed the king of Pottapi, and king of the Kerala (Chera Perumal) country. He also had to suppress a rebellion in the Pandya territories by the Pandya princes. While these battles were progressing, the Western Chalukya Someshvara I invaded Chola territory, seeking revenge for his earlier humiliation at the hands of Virarajendra's predecessor, Rajendra II. First, Someshvara I sent his son Vikkalan (Vikramaditya VI) to attack Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the capital of Chola. In 1066, during the reign of the Western Chalukya king Someshvara I, Vikramaditya VI had invaded the Chola Empire penetrating as far as the capital Gangaikonda Cholapuram and threatening the city before being repulsed.Virarajendra was returning after subduing the Pandyas, the Sinhalas and the Chera Perumal kings and making them vassal states. He immediately undertook the task of safeguarding the Chola capital, defeating Vikramaditya VI. Virarajendra then pursued the Chalukya princes Vikramaditya (Vikkalan) and Singhanan, defeating them at Gangapadi. After subsequently defeating another Chalukya army led by both princes and sons of Someshvara I, he proceeded to the Chalukyan capital, defeating Someshvara I who fled the battlefield.

Hail ! Prosperity ! While courage was (his) only help and liberality (his) only ornament, (the king) wielded the sceptre and dispelled the dark Kali (age). (He) terrified Ahavamalla at Kudalsangama saw the retreating back of Vikkalan (i.e.,Vikramaditya VI) and Singanan (ie., Jayasimha), and seized riches and vehicles along with his (viz., Ahavamalla's) great queens.

— (Line 1.) No. 82.- Inscription at Kilur