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.

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.

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.

Virarajendra was returning after subduing the Pandyas, the Sinhalas and the Chera Perumal kings and making them vassal states.

They sacked the fortress at Kampili taking treasure and the queen of Someshvara I, well as eliminating his generals and trusted feudatories.

Virarajendra successfully quelled the rebellions at Ceylon, Madurai and the Chera Perumal Kingdom, Potappi and converted the Western Chalukyas (at the seven and a half lakshas of Rattapadi) into vassals.

Receiving this message, Virarajendra immediately set out for the battle and camped near Kandai for the Chalukyan army to arrive.

The Chola army then devastated the surrounding countryside and erected a pillar of victory on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.

From Kudal Sangamam, the Chola army proceeded to Vengi to re-establish their control on the Eastern Chalukyan Kingdom.

In a battle on the banks of the Krishna River, near Visaiyavadai or modern Vijayawada, Virarajendra defeated the Western Chalukya army led by Jananatha.

Vijayabahu, the Sinhalese king, who had been ruling a small southern portion of the island around the Rohana district, sought to extend his power and expel the Chola occupiers.

Virarajendra's records from his seventh year mention that he conquered Kadaram on behalf of a king who had come to ask for help and protection and handed it over to him.

[10] Another inscription from the Tiruttaleesvara temple in Tirupattur, Ramnad district, mentions the king's father as the conqueror of Purvadesam, Ganges and Kidaram.

[7] From the inscription of one of his successors viz., Kulothunga Chola I, in the Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur dated in the 15th year of his reign, it is known that the name of Virarajendra's queen was Arumolinangai.

From an inscription of his from Tirunamanallur dated in the fourth year of his reign, it is known that Virarajendra held the titles Sakalabhuvanasraya, Srimedinivallabha, Maharajadhiraja Cholakula-Sundara, Pandyakulantaka, Ahavamallakula-Kala, Ahavamallanai-mummadi-ven-kanda Rajasraya, Vira-Chola, Karikala Chola, The Glory of the Solar race, Sri-Virarajendradeva, Rajakesarivarma Perumanadigal (similar to the Nolamba Pallava titles of Permanadi from Kannada country) and Konerinmaikondan.

[citation needed] Tirunamanallur was also called as Tirunavlur or Rajadittapuram, named after his great predecessor Rajaditya Chola.

[citation needed] The Thanjavur inscription of his successor Kulottunga I gives the name of Virarajendra's queen as Arumoli Nangai.

The king was a devotee at the feet of lord at Thillai (Sivan) at Chidambaram, to whom he presented a necklace consisting of rubies of high quality.