Lolajihva

Lolajihva was a rākshasa who lived in the Tretā Yuga. He destroyed the holy city of Dharmāraṇya, also called Satya Mandira. He drove out all the 18,000 brāhmaṇas and 36,000 vāṇika (merchant) families whom Bhagavān Vishṇu and Bhagavān Brahmā had settled there. His attack left the busy holy city in ruins.

Bhagavān Vishṇu came with the Sudarśana cakra and slew Lolajihva. After that the brāhmaṇas and vāṇikas came back and rebuilt the city as Satya Mandira.

The attack on Dharmāraṇya

In the Tretā Yuga the rākshasa Lolajihva came down on Dharmāraṇya. This was a most holy city, set up by the tapas (austerity) of Dharma. Bhagavān Vishṇu and Bhagavān Brahmā had settled 18,000 brāhmaṇas and 36,000 vāṇika families in it.

Lolajihva let loose his terrible power on the city. He burned it to the ground, drove out all who lived there, and made the sacred places unclean. All the people fled. The great holy city of Dharmāraṇya lay in ruins.

Bhagavān Vishṇu slays Lolajihva

In their distress the brāhmaṇas and vāṇikas cried out to Bhagavān Vishṇu. He came quickly, carrying the blazing Sudarśana cakra, and slew Lolajihva. With the rākshasa dead, the kshetra (sacred place) was free, and its people could return.

Satya Mandira

After Lolajihva’s death, the brāhmaṇas and vāṇikas came back and rebuilt the holy city. They renamed it Satya Mandira.

Sources

• Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Dharmāraṇya Khaṇḍa, Pūrvārdha, Chapter 10
• Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Dharmāraṇya Khaṇḍa, Pūrvārdha, Chapters 10–11