An ascetic defender of the Hindu dharma, he was known for his religious polemics, chiefly against Christianity.
He was known for his "witty repartee and vigorous argument" confronting Christian missionaries and, occasionally, other Hindus.
His 1857 debates in Bombay were widely publicized in English and Marathi in at least nine books.
"[2] Brahmachari was born Vishnu Bhikaji Gokhale on 20 July 1825 in the village of Shirvali (Taluka - Mangaon, District - Raigad) as the tenth child of a Chitpavan Brahman family.
The Vishnubuva Brahmachari Samajik Kendra has been formed to propagate the thoughts and life mission of Vishnubawa.