Vichitravirya was the youngest son of King Santanu and Queen Satyavati in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. He had an elder brother named Chitrangada, who succeeded king Santanu to the throne of Hastinapura. After Chitrangada died without an heir, Vchitravirya the younger prince was enthroned.

Vichitravirya was very young or still a child when he became the monarch of that large kingdom. So Bhishma ruled as his agent. When the king Vichitravirya grew up, Bhishma searched for a suitable bride for him. He heard that king of Kashi was arranging a Swayamvara for his three daughters. Since Vichitravirya was too young and there were chances that the princess could not choose him, Bhishma himself went to the Swayambhara. From the Swayambhara Bhishma forcefully brought the three princesses Amba, Ambika and Ambalika to marry Vichitravirya. Since Amba was already engaged with Salva, Ambika and Ambalika were married to king Vichitravirya.

Unfortunately, shortly after his marriage, Vichitravirya died out of tuberculosis. As Vichitravirya died childless, his mother Satyavati summoned Vyasa who subsequently fathered Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura.