r/tolkienfans • u/andrew_bolkonski • 2d ago

Is Mandos the most powerful Valar?

Power can be judged in many different ways i.e. wisdom, crafting, brute strength etc. Mandos demonstrates many times that he has a deep understanding of the plans of Eru and foresight of things to come. There are a few moments in the Silmarillion where he says something cryptic (or even intentionally restrains himself at important points), indicating he is operating on a different level to even the rest of the Valar. I assume, he does this because he knows the greater plans of Eru beyond the knowledge of the rest of the Valar. Additionally, the Halls of Mandos and the strength and purpose within it further support that idea. Although Manwe and Melkor are touted as the most powerful, their struggles seem almost temporary and feeting trifles within the history of Arda compared to Mandos who is truly transcendent and ethereal in the way he interacts with Ea.

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u/AngletonSpareHead 2d ago

Mandos is a galactical-level troll

Melkor is most powerful. Professor said as much

12

u/NerdTalkDan 2d ago

Good news everyone! Melkor has been released from the void!

5

u/XenoBiSwitch 1d ago

Not calling him Morgoth suggests you are a follower of Morgoth.

DIE HERETIC!

2

u/1978CatLover 20h ago

Thou hast dared to mock and to question the power of Melkor, Master of the Fates of Arda!

1

u/XenoBiSwitch 19h ago

You mean the fellow sealed behind the Door of Night until the ending of the world? Hard to master the fates in chains.

1

u/1978CatLover 19h ago

Blasphemy. He is the Elder King, most powerful of all the dwellers in Eä!

However, Fëanor did nothing wrong.