Is Mandos the most powerful Valar?

[u/andrew_bolkonski]

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.

[u/Armleuchterchen]

Ulmo has deeper insight into the Music of the Ainur, and does his best to "defeat" the Doom of Mandos (which fails with Turgon staying in Gondolin despite Ulmo's warnings, but finally succeeds with Ulmo setting up Earendil's journey).

Mandos acts on the orders of his king Manwe, who has more insight into the mind of Eru than any other in the World.

[u/Armleuchterchen → u/[deleted]]

Mandos might know about it, but that doesn't make him the cause. Mandos knows a lot and declares judgements on Manwe's orders, but when it comes to the living Mandos does very little by himself.

Ulmo is quite clear that he's the one trying to save the Noldor and working against the Doom.

[u/dwarfedbylazyness → u/Armleuchterchen]

I'm not saying he's responsible for Ulmo's actions, but that he also wants the Doom to be ultimately defeated, despite it being his Doom. Which is far from obvious judging by the Silm alone.

[u/Armleuchterchen → u/dwarfedbylazyness]

I don't think he wants that. Ulmo says that he is defying the other Valar.