There are times when we feel lost, hopeless. We surrender to the Divine Mother then. Adi Shankaracharya shows how we may make our supplication:

1. O mother Bhavani, you alone are my refuge. None of father, mother, relatives, protectors, sons, daughters, servants, masters, wife, learning and occupation can stand by me.
2. O mother Bhavani, you alone are my refuge. I have fallen into this endless ocean of constant change; I am terribly afraid and have deep sorrow. I am lusty, greedy and intoxicated. The ropes of this bad world have tied me down – for ever as though.
3. O mother Bhavani, you alone are my refuge. I do not know charity or the ways of meditation. I know not the system of Tantra, nor some special hymns or chants. I have no idea of worship or ways to protect myself through rituals. (or nyaasa can mean ways to renounce)
4. O mother Bhavani, you alone are my refuge. I know not what is merit. I am ignorant of pilgrimage or holy places. Liberation and dissolution (of mind) are unknown to me. I do not know devotion or any vows or practices.
5. O mother Bhavani, you alone are my refuge. Bad actions, bad company, and bad thinking describe me well. I am a bad servant and have no good family background, nor good conduct. I am immersed in bad conduct. I have wrong vision and I am engaged in abusive talk always.
6. O mother Bhavani, you alone are my refuge. I do not know Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva or Indra. Nor do I know Sun, Moon or any other god. You are the one who can give me shelter.
7. O mother Bhavani, you alone are my refuge. Please protect me during any dispute, sorrow, error or travel. Be by my side and protect me when I am in water, near fire, on a hill or amidst enemies.
8. O mother Bhavani, you alone are my refuge. I am an orphan, very poor and suffer from old age and disease. Extremely weakened and most miserable, I have almost gone dumb. I am in deep trouble, I am dying.

Original in Sanskrit

Bhavani Astakam – Adi Shankaraachaarya

Na taato na maataa na bandhur-na daataa

Na putro na putree na bhrityo na bhartaa

Na jaayaa na vidyaa na vrittir-mamaiva

Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvam-ekaa bhavaani (1)

Bhavaabdhaavapaare mahaa-duhkha-bheeruh

Papaata prakaamee pralobhee pramattah

Kusamsaara-paasha-prabaddhah sadaaham

Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvam-ekaa bhavaani (2)

Na jaanaami daanam na cha dhyaana-yogam

Na jaanaami tantram na cha stotra-mantram

Na jaanaami poojaam na cha nyaasa-yogam

Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvam-ekaa bhavaani (3)

Na jaanaami puNyam na jaanaami teertham

Na jaanaami muktim layam vaa kadaachit

Na jaanaami bhaktim vratam vaapi maatar-

Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvam-ekaa bhavaani (4)

Kukarmee kusangee kubuddhih kudaasah

Kulaachaara-heenah kadaachaara-leenah

Kudristih kuvaakya-prabandhah sadaaham

Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvam-ekaa bhavaani (5)

Prajesham ramesham mahesham suresham

Dinesham nisheetheshvaram vaa kadaachit

Na jaanaami chaanyat sadaaham sharaNye

Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvam-ekaa bhavaani (6)

Vivaade vishaade pramaade pravaase

Jale chaanale parvate shatru-madhye

AraNye sharaNye sadaa maam prapaahi

Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvam-ekaa bhavaani (7)

Anaatho daridro jaraa-roga-yukto

Mahaa-ksheeNa-deenah sadaa jaaDya-vaktrah

Vipattau pravisthah praNasthah sadaaham

Gatis-tvam gatis-tvam tvam-ekaa bhavaani (8)

Swami Chidananda