My Guru was giving a discourse on the Bhagavatam recently. In that, sage Narada happens to be traveling and reaches the world in its current state, i.e. Kali yuga. What is the sum and substance of this age? That the substance has gone from everything. The Guru explained it beautifully thus.
The ‘substance’ has gone means the ‘purpose’ has gone.
Means people are not putting their hearts and souls into what they are doing. There is no love and enjoyment for work. There is no attention to work.
Not just office work. But to most actions.
If one is going to a temple to pray, the substance is lost, because the mind is not on the Lord, but on what we want from the Lord.
How profound! An important message for me, especially on this auspicious day of Guru Purnima. All glories to Him!