On another day Gopal-ma invited Sri Ramakrishna for lunch at Kamarhati. The Master went by boat with Rakhal, a young disciple who later became Swami Brahmananda. She received them cordially, and after they had enjoyed the delicacies she had cooked for them, they went to a room upstairs that had been arranged for their rest. Rakhal fell asleep immediately, but the Master was wide awake. Presently a foul odour permeated the room, and he saw two hideous ghosts with skeletal like forms. They said to him humbly: “Why are you here? Please leave this place. Seeing you, we are in unbearable pain.” The Divine Presence was no doubt the cause of their pain, either because it reminded them of their own pitiable condition, or because evil spirits cannot bear that Presence.
Sri Ramakrishna immediately arose and gathered up his small spice bag and towel. In the meantime Rakhal woke up and asked, “Master, where are you going?” “I shall tell you later,” said Sri Ramakrishna. They both went downstairs to Gopal-ma and, after saying good-bye to her, returned to the boat. The Master then told the whole story to Rakhal, explaining that he did not say anything to Gopal-ma because she was staying there alone. At any rate, she knew that ghosts frequented the area; and Sri Ramakrishna knew that her spirituality protected her from their presence. (Source: They Lived with God)
CHANDRASEKHARA BHARATI MAHASWAMI AND THE BRAHMARĀKSHAS
This is an incident where the sage of Sringeri, Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswami, was visiting a village. The people there took him to the village temple and prayed, “Swami, this is an ancient temple and was once very powerful. But now, we find something unfavourable here. Though we have performed various pūjas to purify the place, it has been of no use. Your holy presence alone can set right the problem.” After hearing them out, the Swami entered the temple. Suddenly, the villagers saw a fearsome being fleeing from the temple. The Swami explained to them that this was the evil spirit of a brahmarākshas. The moment the sage entered the temple, his pure presence drove it away from the temple. Divine presence is a sure antidote for all negativities in life. This is why all the holy scriptures are replete with the glory of contact with saints. (Source: Srimad Bhagavad Gita – Elixir of Eternal Wisdom | Vol 3)