From Angkor:  "Preah Khan, which served as a monastery and teaching centre, is the nucleus of a group that includes the tmples of Neak Pean and Ta Som, all situated on the Jayatataka Baray, which retains water during and, for a short period, after the rains.  Ceremonial causeways with figures forming a balustrade identify Preah Khan as a royal city.  It is possible that the temple was constructed early in the reign of Jayavarman VII.  It probably served as his temporary residence while he was rebuilding the city of Angkor Thom after the Chams sacked it in 1177."

"A stone stela inscribed on four sides, recently removed to the Conservation Office for safekeeping, gives a wealth of information about the tmple and its function.  The inscription, found in 1939, and subsequently translated into French, indicates that Preah Khan was the ancient city of Nagarajayacri.  The second part of the name, jayacri, is the Siamese work for sacred sword, the meaning of Preah Khan.  The sacred sword has a long history in Khmer tradition as in the late ninth century Jayavarman II left his successor a sacred sword, the 'Preah Khan', which descendants still guard.  The legend, though, may have originated with the Siamese."