What is the Appearance Day of Sri Virabhadra?
The Appearance Day of Sri Virabhadra celebrates the coming of Sri Virabhadra Gosai, also known as Viracandra or Birachandra, into this world. Gaudiya Vaishnavas observe it on the ninth day of the dark fortnight of Kartika, which is Tuesday, 3 November in 2026.
Significance
Sri Virabhadra appeared in the family of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, who is Lord Balarama come with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, born of Srimati Vasudha Devi. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura writes in his Anubhashya, his commentary on Caitanya-caritamrita, that the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika describes him as an incarnation of Ksirodakasayi Vishnu, the form of Vishnu who lies on the ocean of milk and lives in every heart. He is therefore nondifferent from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. His spiritual master (and stepmother) was Srimati Jahnava Mata.
Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, the author of Caitanya-caritamrita, names him the greatest branch after Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Although he is the Lord Himself, he presented himself as a great devotee.
He is the main pillar in the hall of devotional service erected by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 11.10
How to observe it
Devotees keep the day by hearing about Sri Virabhadra, reading Adi-lila chapter 11 of Caitanya-caritamrita where Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami glorifies him, and chanting the holy names of Sri Gauranga and Sri Nityananda. Ask for his mercy, which Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja prayed would guide his own writing.
Questions
Who is Sri Virabhadra?
Sri Virabhadra, also called Viracandra, is an incarnation of Ksirodakasayi Vishnu who appeared in the family of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, born of Srimati Vasudha Devi. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says he is nondifferent from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
When is the appearance day of Sri Virabhadra in 2026?
It is on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, the ninth day of the dark fortnight of Kartika.
Who was the spiritual master of Sri Virabhadra?
His spiritual master (and stepmother) was Srimati Jahnava Mata, according to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura's Anubhashya on Caitanya-caritamrita.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Tuesday, 3 November 2026
- Also known as
- Viracandra, Birachandra
- Spiritual master
- Srimati Jahnava Mata
- Incarnation of
- Ksirodakasayi Vishnu
Seva for this day
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