Shloka 12
Brāhmaṇa-pūjā and Namaskāra: Criteria of Reverence and Non-Offense (ब्राह्मणपूजा-नमस्कारविधिः)
लोकानस्मद्विधा ये च विचरन्ति यथासुखम् । तस्मादेतानि गेहेषु रक्षोघ्नानि विशाम्पते । एतद् व: कथितं सर्व यत्र व: संशयो महान्
lokān asmadvidhā ye ca vicaranti yathāsukham | tasmād etāni geheṣu rakṣoghnāni viśāmpate | etad vaḥ kathitaṃ sarvaṃ yatra vaḥ saṃśayo mahān ||
Bhishma said: “There are beings like us who roam about the worlds as they please. Therefore, O lord of the people, these protective measures that destroy hostile spirits should be kept in households. I have now told you everything on the very point where your doubt was great.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that since unseen beings may move freely in the world, a householder should maintain protective, rakṣa-destroying safeguards at home; practical protection is part of dharma, not mere superstition.
Bhishma concludes an explanation given to the king, stating that he has fully answered a major doubt and urging that the described anti-rakṣas protections be kept in households.