Verse Text
tathā hi tantre—
premṇas tu prathamāvasthā bhāva ity abhidhīyate |
sāttvikāḥ svalpa-mātrāḥ syur atrāśru-pulakādayaḥ ||2||
Translation
In a tantra, [Note: The word tantra can refer to the Paṣcarātra scriptures or other works of similar nature.] it is said: The preliminary state of prema is called bhāva. There are a few sāttvika-bhāvas such as tears in the eyes and hairs standing on end.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
This verse shows that bhāva is the ray of prema or the sprout of prema.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
In this connection, there is a statement in the tantras that ecstasy is the first symptom of pure love for the Personality of Godhead, and in that stage one is sometimes found shedding tears or shivering. Not always are these symptoms manifest, but occasionally.