He is mentioned by David P. Chandler, who is one of the foremost western scholars of Cambodia's modern history.
The reigns of Harshavarman and his younger brother marked a period of instability for the Khmer Empire.
Both brothers were involved in a power struggle with their maternal uncle, Jayavarman IV, a conflict that lasted for Harshavarman’s entire reign.
Jayavarman was eventually driven out of Angkor to set up his own capital about 100 km away during the reign of Ishanavarman.
[9] Nothing else is known about Harshavarman other than that he constructed the small temple-mountain of Baksei Chamkrong at the foot of Phnom Bakheng which he dedicated to his parents,[10][11]: 359, 362 [12]: 114 He died in 923 and was succeeded by Ishanavarman.