Playing The Game Of I Can

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead is described in the scriptures as adhokshaja, which indicates that He is beyond the perception of all material senses.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 46)

It’s a television reality show. The primary focus is on competition. Each episode features an elimination round. Two contestants are eligible. They go head-to-head in one of four games, chosen at random. In this particular episode one of the players has a distinct size and weight advantage. If the competition relies mostly on strength, the smaller player is doomed.

Things seem to be headed in that direction, as the game is called “I can.” There is a large crate on the ground with two handles in front. On the side is a bag filled with a seemingly endless supply of coconuts. It looks to be some sort of weightlifting competition. The larger guy is in the driver’s seat.

There is a catch, however. The competition involves bidding, in an alternating fashion. One player starts. They declare out loud how many coconuts they think they can lift. Then the other player either places a higher bid or asks the first player to prove that they can do it.

The larger player is not guaranteed victory since they might end up in a bidding war, left in a position to prove they can lift a number of coconuts that might be too heavy for them. A way to prevent that is to call the bluff of the smaller player. If the bidding reaches a certain point where you think they can’t do it, stop the bidding.

It is a tricky game because no one knows precisely how much the coconuts weigh. Moreover, they have to guess as to how much the other person can lift, based on the strength in the legs and arms. The idea is that there is a limit. Each person has a certain level which they cannot go past.

This game gives another idea into the greatness of God. If He were to play the game of “I can,” at some point they would run out of coconuts. That is because nothing can limit His abilities. There is no accurate way to measure His strength. He possesses the different opulences to the highest degree, and simultaneously.

His intelligence is such that He can instantly predict how much a competitor can lift. His renunciation is to the point that victory in the competition is of no concern. He has beauty that cannot be compared even to the most pristine park, filled with blossoming flowers. He could personally supply the coconuts to the competition, as He owns everything already. Upon victory in the competition, His fame would spread throughout the three worlds.

This is more than just a theoretical example. There are real-life, historical incidents described in Vedic literature. Those works are in the Sanskrit language, which means they are preserved in the original form, lasting through to today. Cheaters can get to work on translating and interpreting, but the original sounds are still there, limiting the potential damage.

In the case where a saint has added on to the descriptions, in the language of their choice, even those original words are preserved. The verses are composed in such a way that they can be sung, making them easier to remember and distribute to others. Another way to understand God is that the best poetry and song is used to glorify Him; hence the name Uttamashloka.

He is Adhokshaja because His features cannot be measured by blunt instruments. In the incarnation of Shri Rama, He lifted the inconceivably heavy bow of Lord Shiva. This bow could not even be moved by the supposedly most powerful princes on earth. As Shri Krishna, He lifted Govardhana Hill, whose circumference is several miles. Through His expansion He keeps the planets in orbit, without effort. That is to say there is no struggle, as the image of Krishna holding Govardhana Hill is with the pinky finger resting on the left hand. This is the weakest finger on the typically non-dominant hand.

Since His strength and ability are beyond understanding, He can surely rescue everyone in the entire universe simultaneously. He can hear every prayer offered to Him in earnest, and He can arrive at any space, in the personal form, with an interest to intervene, through the sounds of His names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Contestants playing a game,

Of “I can” the name.

Lifting coconuts in crate,

Each person bid to state.

But knowing limitation the key,

Also in other ability to see.

Supreme Lord in competition suppose,

Know Him from strength juxtaposed.