Indra the ultimate warrior of Indian mythology.

All impressive things about Indra as per Ramayan & Mahabharat. Fantards have always downplayed Indra's achievements & pro trayed him as lesser than vishnu and shiva. The truth is "Indra is the best fighter" among all devtas he has the biggest arsenal and supply of weapons. I have a huge list of quotes and links from authentic books (Ramayana, Mahabharat) to prove every claim that i make. Before judging me and criticising or insulting me, you should take a look at the evidence that i provided and finish reading the whole post.

INDRA'S COMBAT ACHIEVEMENTS.

Intro; first i will adress the combat achievements of this mard. After that i will move on to other topics that are impressive about him, that prove he is more powerful than everyone believes.

1) Scorching the throat of Shiva:
"In days of yore, Indra, desirous of acquiring my prosperity, had hurled his thunderbolt at me. With that weapon my throat was scorched. For this reason I have become blue-throated."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13b106.htm

Commentary; injuring a OP mard like Shiva is a huge achievement, no namard named "Parashuram" or "Laxman" or "Hanuman" ever had such an achievement in the authentic texts (Mahabharat, Ramayana etc). This shows that Indra is at least a match for Shiva if not equal to him in power.

2) Murdering Tarakasur:
"Assisted by Satwata hero, slay brave Karna in battle, as Indra in days of old had slain (the Asura) Taraka, aided by (the celestial generalissimo) Skanda."
https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07170.htm
Commentary - as per Mahabharat this villain was killed by Indra, maybe it was a group attack where 2 people (skanda and indra) attacked taraka.

3) The killing of Bali's sister "Manthara":
"Oh, Rama, the protector of people, we have heard that Indra once eliminated Manthara, the daughter of Virochana, when she wished to annihilate earth, haven't we." [1-25-20]
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga25/bala_5F25_frame.htm
My comment; this action of indra shows that he is not a simp like the namards living in india (currently). In the eyes of devraj everyone is equal, regardless of race, gender, caste, skin color, looks, smell and personality. Indra judges everyone the same, a perfect emperor.

4) The killing of danav "Maya":
"Indra, the Administrator of Worlds and destroyer of enemy citadels, on taking His Thunderbolt eliminated Maya, when that eminent demon was engaged with an apsara, a paradisiacal nymph, called Hema."
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/kish/sarga51/kishkindha_51_frame.htm
Commentary; indra was brave cause that namard Hanuman could never achieve such a combat feat, this Maya character had made hanutati beg for mercy, the same way abdali in the 1700s made the maratha cowards beg like eunuchs infront of his brave army at the battle of Panipat.

[Indra uses a weapon]

5)The killing of Vishvarup:
"Indra the lord of celestials chopped off the heads of Vishvarupa the son of Tvashta."
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/yuddha/sarga70/yuddha_70_frame.htm
Commentary - "tvashta" is the name of a god in vedic religion, he was a warrior who lost to meghnad, and anyone who is a son of "tvashta" will be labelled a "demigod" just like the legendary namard "karna" is called a demigod, the fact he was defeated really easily by Indra shows that Indra was in a class of his own.

6) Killed Puloma:
"Eliminate that Ravana with sharp arrows, as has been done by the slayer of enemies Indra when he eliminated the insolent father of Sachi Devi, namely Puloma."
https://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/kish/sarga39/kishkindha_39_frame.htm

Commentary - dont compare indra to a lund chooser like karna when karna lost to foot soldiers of the rakshas race but indra beat a big rakshas very easily.

7) Killing Paka:
"Lord Indra, the destroyer of Paka."
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/yuddha/sarga120/yuddha_120_frame.htm
Commentary - even shri ram only killed six (Kumbhkarn, Makaraksha, Ravan, Khar, Doosan, Trisiras) high ranked raksasas. The others (wiradh, kabandha) dont count cause he had laxmans help. But Indra slew dozens of high ranking rkshasa warriors.

8) Slaughtered almost 100 enemies in a single attack;
"Indra made a loud noise when he hurled it, and slew nine and ninety heroes among the daityas."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09051.htm
Commentary; its easy if you are in a chariot firing arrows, but here Indra was clearly on foot surrounded by people, its much harder to do it on land yet Indra succeeded

9) Knocked Arjuna out:

"Indra saw all this, and desiring to save his friend's son, the wielder of the thunderbolt, by raising a violent wind, deprived Arjuna of consciousness. During those few moments, Aswasena succeeded in effecting his escape."
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01230.htm

Same Arjun was considered tougher than or equal to Sahastrarjun:
"This child of thine, O Kunti, will be equal unto Kartavirya in energy and Siva in prowess. Invincible like Sakra himself he will spread thy fame far and wide."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01124.htm
Commentary - clearly after injuring Shiva this is the best achievement in Indra's career.

10) One-shotted hanuman;
"Indra.... .... by his effulgence he catapulted his Thunderbolt at you." [1st line] "Then, your left cheekbone, zygomatic arch, is broken when you fell down on a highest mountaintop, from thereupon your name-phrase is indeed averred as Hanumaan." [2nd line] "Then on observing that you are mutilated, highly infuriated is that scent-wafter Air-god" [3rd line]
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/kish/sarga66/kishkindha_66_frame.htm
Commentary: to be fair this isnt even worth bragging about cause hanuman was never a match for high-tier warriors, but this is for all who overrated the character of "hanutati" the only impressive fact was that Indra did it in one attack he didnt have to try at all. And before anyone says it the fact hanutati was a child does not matter it has no relevance. Because after this when hanutati becomes an adult he suffered military defeats at the hands of many people that were inferior to Indra in combat, military arts and weaponry. So hanuman remains a warrior below Indra's power. In most of his fights when he loses then Hanuman is usually beaten by one or two attacks but here Hanuman was killed.

11) Beat Agnidev numerous times:
"This forest of Khandava is always protected by Indra. And as it is protected by the illustrious one, I always fail to consume it." [1st line] "In that forest dwelleth, with his followers and family, a Naga, called Takshaka, who is the friend of Indra. It is for him that the wielder of the thunderbolt protecteth this forest." [2nd line] "Desiring to consume the forest I succeed not in my attempts in consequence of Indra's prowess." [3rd line]
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01226.htm
Commentary - this should be enough proof that Indra being king makes him stronger than each of the devtas, so agni and vayu cant be compared with him. And certainly not a eunuch dev like Soorya lol.

12) Indra threw a huge weighted object:
"Then Sakra, desirous of smiting down the son of Pandu, tore up with his hands a large peak from Mandara, with tall trees on it, and hurled it against him."
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01230.htm
Commentary; first he manifested the peak, then took it up with his hands, regardless of how heavy this peak was Indra tossed it a huge distance away from himself on to his target. Most warriors of Mahabharat could never do something like this.

13) Indra lifted up a gigantic mountain (more than just a peak);
“Beholding that feat commenced by Chyavana, Indra became incensed with wrath. Taking up a huge mountain he ran against that Rishi.”
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13b121.htm
Commentary - this was the WHOLE mountain so it is more impressive than any of hanuman's achievements as all that lund chooser could do was toss and carry small "peaks" not whole mountains unlike Indra. I bet even mount everest could have been lifted up by Indra. ALSO indra ran carrying that mountain, just imagine how difficult it would be to run while carrying a 30 pound dumbell or bar, now COMPARE that to Indra's feat of running with a mountains weight which is burdening him.

14) Indra vs Bala;
"Acquainted with all the vital parts of the human body, Partha, possessed of prowess like that of Indra, pierced those vital limbs with hundreds of arrows even as Indra had struck Vala with great energy."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08090.htm
commentary - here a comparison was made with arjun striking karna and indra striking "vala" so Indra fought a warrior named Vala.

15) Namuci-vadh;
"The Suta's son, when able, will once more advance against thee as before. Slay him, therefore, like Indra slaying the Asura Namuci." [words of krishna]
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08090.htm
commentary - it is not known how strong this enemy was.

16) Indra slew Vritra:
"worshipped by the Kurus as Sakra had been by the Maruts upon the slaughter of Vritra"
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07176.htm

ALL THREE VICTIMS ARE MENTIONED.
"As with fall of demon Vritta or fall of demon Bala who are eliminated by Indra with his Thunderbolt, or as with the collapse of demon Namuchi who is eliminated by the same Indra just with forth or foam, Khara too is brought down." [3-30-28]
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/aranya/sarga30/aranya_30_frame.htm
17) Indra defeated Kabandha.
{quote} When I begged of him saying, 'lead me to the hell of Yama, rather than making me to live in this body..' Then Indra said this to me, 'Let the Grandparent Brahma's word about your longevity come true...' Thus Indra spared me. {end quotend}
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/aranya/sarga71/aranya_71_frame.htm
Commentary; this was no ordinary feat or achievement.

Kabandha vs Ram, Laxman etc.

Quote:

"Gripping them with both of his long-reaching hands and hauling towards his mouth at his abdomen (stomach) & dropping them off if they are unpalatable (not tasty to eat)" "He that overlong-armed Kabandha outstretching his overlong arms snatched both of the Raghava-s, keeping them side-by-side in his fists, and wringing them with his might."

http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/aranya/sarga69/aranya_69_frame.htm

Commentary; Perhaps Indra was a better warrior, fighter, and mard than even Ram and Laxman were? No disrespect to Ram as i consider him a great fighter but Laxman stands nowhere near a warrior like Indra. But for Indra i think Ram would be a perfect competitor.

18) Indra created a wound on Ravan's body that never went away for many years, the mark remained their.

Quote;
"vajrollikhitapiinaamsau = fleshy shoulders smeared with diamond"

http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/sundara/sarga10/sundara_10_frame.htm

Commentary - Understand that "vajro" clearly refers to Vajra.

2nd quote;
"who is severally bruised in several combats of gods and demons with the thunderbolts from the Vajra weapon of Indra, and one who is severally blotched on his chest when the prongs of the tusks of Airavata, the lordly elephant of Indra, gored his chest, at such a Ravana Shuurpanakha saw."

http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/aranya/sarga32/aranya_32_frame.htm
Logic; his Vajra was as deadly as Vishnu's sudarshan chakra if not more.

Extra. I have already talked about the fight Indra had with Ravan now i want to discuss about the possibility and chances Indra had in being the slayer of Ravana. Because Ram used a weapon of Indra to defeat him at the end of the day Indra would be able to use that weapon much better.
Description of it;
"a blazing arrow, which was given by Brahma and which in turn was given to him by the glorious sage, Agastya earlier in the battle-field and which looked like a hissing serpent." "Made formerly for Indra, the lord of celestials by Brahma, the lord of creation of infinite strength, it was bestowed in the past on the ruler of gods, who was desirous of conquering the three worlds. In its feathers, wind was established."
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga108/yuddha_108_frame.htm

Logic - the "ruler of gods" refers to Indra so it is clear this weapon was made for him. Since Ravan was killed off as a result of its lethal impact it would be ridiculous for anyone to say that Indra is inferior to Ravan as a warrior. In power its clear Indra is the better warrior among these 2 characters. I can only consider Meghanad better than Indra for sure.

19) Comparison between Indra's performance against Kumbhkarn versus other characters performance.

How much did Ram need to kill Kumbhkarn?
Rudrastra, 2 Indrastras, Vayavyastra and many more weapons. [not a quote, but instead the truth based on a link underneath this text] Basically it was much more than just 3 to 4 astras.
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga67/yuddha_67_frame.htm
Ram using Indra's weapon:
"By his arrow, which was made variegated by gold and furnished with a mystic spell of Indra used for charming it, Rama chopped off Kumbhakarna's remaining arm" [I]
"Thereupon, that Rama got hold of an arrow spelled with a missile presided over by Indra the lord of celestials" [II]
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga67/yuddha_67_frame.htm
My commentary; the first time was to cut an arm of Kumbhkarn, the second Indra-astra was the one that ended Kumbhkarn's life.

DESTRUCTIVE COMPARISON;
"Rama released plumed arrows. Even after struck by them, whose speed was equal to a thunderbolt, that demon was neither shaken nor afflicted. Those arrows, which chopped off the Sala trees and killed Vali the foremost of monkeys, could not torment Kumbhakarna's body which was like a thunderbolt."
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga67/yuddha_67_frame.htm

Logic - clearly indra's thunderbolt did much more damage than the arrows that ram used on vali.

How much did Laxman did against Kumbhkarn:
"The valiant Lakshmana pierced seven arrows into the body of Kumbhakarna. He took some more arrows and released them too. Tormented by that weapon of Lakshmana, that demon destroyed it completely. Thereupon, the aggressive Lakshmana was enraged."
"Then, Lakshmana covered the shining and charming golden armour of Kumbhakarna with his arrows, even as the wind would make an evening-twilight cloud completely disappear. Kumbhakarn looked like a mound of collyrium, tormented by the arrows, decked with gold."
Kumbhkarna says "Because I have been gratified by you by way of your ability, strength and firmness in battle, I for my part desire to kill Rama alone, for when he is killed, all the army will be killed."
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga67/yuddha_67_frame.htm

Commentary - kumbhkarn destroyed the astra that laxman fired and all that happened was that he was injured by some normal arrows, however the injury that kumbhkarn suffered was not grevious, it was very minor compared to what he suffered against Indra. Laxman failed to make Kumbhkarn reel, swoon, even bleed.

Laxman was beaten:
"Kumbhakarna the demon, brushing aside Lakshmana and crossing him, ran, as though he is causing an earth-quake, towards Rama."
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga67/yuddha_67_frame.htm

What Indra achieved against Kumbhkarn:

"Mahendra wielding a thunder-bolt was enraged and struck Kumbhakarna with his weapon of the white thunderbolt. The great souled Kumbhakarna struck by Indra's thunderbolt was quite agitatated at it and roared loudly with anger."
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/yuddha/sarga61/yuddha_61_frame.htm

Logic - i know that indra loses after this he gets injured and retreats to BRAHMA no need to tell me, but the whole point of this quote is to show what type of effect Indra's attack had on Kumbhkarn, he roared loudly, valmiki mentions that he was quite agitated by it, and people often yell like that when they're in immense pain. Laxman failed to do anything similar. Kumbhkarn reacted to Laxman by talking calmly and then throwing him away once he sees Rama is in a close distance where they would be able to settle the war.

NOTE: A logical ranking would be Ram (1st), Kumbhkarn (2nd), Indra (3rd), Laxman (4th) among these four characters, but if Indra had sammohanastra and all equipment he would be at least 2nd if not first place. After all it was Indra's weapon that finished Kumbhkarn off. This calculation is factual.

20) Indra & Shambar: "Beaten down by me, as Shambara by Indra" [quote from a son of Ravan] http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga69/yuddha_69_frame.htm
Commentary - tv serials try to show that this mard was killed by Pradyumna but the truth is that as per authentic accounts it was Indra who slew him. Dont forget Shambar was more powerful than his vangaurd that defeated Ram's father Dashrath very easily.

----------------------------------------------------
RANKING HIS INCREDIBLE FEATS (only the best ones):
1st - wounding Shiva was his best achievement. Undoubtedly because of Shiva's power and durability the fact Indra was able to do this would tell everyone that Indra was his equal.

2nd - knocking Arjuna unconscious is the next one. For those who read Mahabharat they know that Arjun was a overpowered hero who always clowned the best warriors of the aryan continent. He was hungry for 120 days and still proved to be almost equal to Shiva himself in a wrestling encounter.

3rd - this list would be incomplete without mentioning how Indra easily defeated the same warrior Kabandha that almost beat Ram & Laxman combined.

4th - the injury that Indra did to Ravan. Even sugreev and Laxman (warriors better than hanumana) failed to do so, same for Yamraj, kuber, nivatakavachas. After his jatayu fight all of ravan's wounds were healed somehow, but the wounds he got from Indra never went away. Jai Shree Indra! The most shakti sali devta.

5th - after these ones the fifth one or next most impressive is defeating Shambar, cause Dashrath was actually a pretty powerful king he may not have been a emperor but he was some sort of a super king as he defeated other kingd and repelled their attacks. He was inferior to Shambar though.

Its debatable whether his achievement against arjun or kabandha should be higher on the list which one was more impressive is hard to say. As for one shotting hanumana i dont consider a great achievement or feat, to me hanuman was not a great fighter so beating him is nothing to brag about.

Other things.

Weapons and Equipment of IndrA.

(1) Brahmashira: "Not excepting the great Indra himself, there was nobody save the son of Pandu, who was capable of withdrawing that high weapon after it had once been let off."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m10/m10015.htm
(2) Aksaja (Thunderbolt in "sanskrit"):
"Raghava, I am going to give the Thunderbolt missile"
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga27/bala_27_frame.htm

(3) Indra Chakra (his own version of sudarshan):"Raghava, I am going to give the Indra disc."
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga27/bala_27_frame.htm

(4) Sammohanastra:
"This beloved weapon, O Bharata, called Praswapa, appertaining to the lord of all creatures, and forged by the divine artificer, will come to thy knowledge, for it was known to thee in thy former life! Neither Rama, nor any person on earth is acquainted with it. Recollect it, therefore, O thou of mighty arms, and apply it with strength!"

"the son of Jamadagni, will fall asleep! Vanquishing him thus"

https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05186.htm

"wielder of the Gandiva who was capable of enduring all foes, evolved another irresistible weapon obtained from Indra, called Sanmohana. And entirely covering the cardinal and other directions with sharp and keen-edged arrows furnished with beautiful feathers, that mighty hero stupefied their senses"
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04065.htm
Commentary - this is the same weapon that an overrated hijda named "bhishma" used to defeat parashuram with, and dhrishtadyumn used to knock out 50 kuru princes. It shows Indra is more powerful than Parshuram ever was.

(5) Unknown weapon:
"Beholding that shower of arrows spread over the welkin through the aindra weapon, Partha, endued with great activity, O king, taking up his bow gandiva, and fixing on his bowstring a mighty weapon created by Indra, destroyed that aindra-shower of arrows." https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08064.htm
(6) Vijaydhanush:
"My bow, called Vijaya, is the foremost of all weapons (of its kind). Desirous of doing what was agreeable (to Indra), it was made by Vishakarman (the celestial artificer) for Indra. With that bow, O king, Indra had vanquished the Daityas. At its twang the Daityas beheld the ten points to be empty. That bow, respected by all, Sakra gave to Bhrigu's son (Rama)."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08031.htm
Commentary; "vijaydhari" is the name of Indra not namard karna.
(7) Mahendrastra:
"he invoked with proper mantras the highly wonderful and terrible Mahendra weapon and caused it to appear in the welkin. And with that mighty weapon producing profuse showers of arrows endued with the effulgence of the blazing fire, that high-souled and mighty bowman, decked with diadem and garland of gold" [ONE]
"many were the warriors who in that terrible conflict had their coats of mail and bodies cut through by that mighty weapon called after the name of Indra." [TWO]
"Kurus, with Bhishma, and Drona and Duryodhana and Valhika, exceedingly mangled by the weapons (of Arjuna), beholding the sun withdraw his rays, and seeing also that awful and irresistible weapon called after the name of Indra spread out and causing (as it were) the end of the Yuga to appear, withdraw their forces for the nightly rest" [THREE]
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m06/m06059.htm
(8) Vajra (diamond-type).
Quote: "Severally bruised in several combats of gods and demons with the thunderbolts from the Vajra weapon of Indra"
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/aranya/sarga32/aranya_32_frame.htm

Commentary; it should be noted and considered that this is the same weapon he used to one-shot overrated hanuman and create a everlasting wound on Ravan's shoulder.

(9) Ramdhanush.
Quote: "Meeting fortitude with anger, though provoked with assault, Rama took hold of Indra's bow, which was possessed of extra ordinary impulse in the battle-field." http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga106/yuddha_106_frame.htm

Explanation - ram used the bow of Indra, it is unknown which bow this was, whether it was Vijay or a different one. But its clear that Ram relied on weapons of indra. No one, not a single hindu, bhakt of Rama ever talks about this. JAI SHREE INDRA!

(10) Vasavi dart.
"Give me an infallible dart capable of slaying all foes, and I will, O thousand-eyed deity, give the ear-rings with the excellent coat of mail! On this condition shouldst thou give the ear-rings unto Sakra. With that dart, O Karna, thou wilt slay foes in battle. For, O mighty-armed one, that dart of the chief of the celestials doth not return to the hand that hurleth it, without slaying enemies by hundreds and by thousands!" [Surya telling bighari karna about Indra's weapon]
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03300.htm
2nd Quote:
Indra said, "Thou shall slay such a roaring and powerful foe in battle. But that one whom thou seekest to slay, is protected by an illustrious personage. Even He whom persons versed in the Vedas call 'the invincible Boar,' and 'the incomprehensible Narayana,' even that Krishna himself, is protecting him!" https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03308.htm
Commentary;

This means that even if Vishnu was gaurding a warrior that warrior would be slain by a mard like Indra.

(11) Talisman, pendant, necklace or amulet.
Explanation - this was what the aboriginal king Wali put on his neck/upper chest/body. He was the brother of Sugriva & a son to Indra.
Quote 1: "the golden chest-pendant around his neck on to his chest, which was given by his father Mahendra, and stood firm for fight"
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/kish/sarga11/kishkindha_11_frame.htm
Quote 2: "The bounteous goddess of triumph ensconced in this golden pendant."
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/kish/sarga22/kishkindha_22_frame.htm
Details - this was a special amulet/necklace/chain that had power to grant victory to its owner.
Quote 3: "Now where is that treasured golden pendant of yours which the king of gods gave to you when he is satisfied with your conduct in wars."
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/kish/sarga23/kishkindha_23_frame.htm
Quote 4: "That superb and gem-studded golden pendent given by Indra sustained that monkey chief's lives, resplendence and brilliance."
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/kish/sarga17/kishkindha_17_frame.htm

(12) The weapon that was given to Ram for Ravan's vadh;
"a blazing arrow, which was given by Brahma and which in turn was given to him by the glorious sage, Agastya earlier in the battle-field and which looked like a hissing serpent." "Made formerly for Indra, the lord of celestials by Brahma, the lord of creation of infinite strength, it was bestowed in the past on the ruler of gods, who was desirous of conquering the three worlds. In its feathers, wind was established." "In its end-point were the fire and the sun. In its heaviness were Mounts Meru and Mandara. Its shaft was made of ether. It broke gate-ways, iron bars, and even mountains. Smeared with the blood of various victims and quoted with their marrow, it presented a very terrific appearance."
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga108/yuddha_108_frame.htm

(13) Nectar (amrith).
Indra donated to Seetha in lanka: "Knowing Seetha's plight Indra gives a nectarean food for Vaidehi, which food is renowned to be Nectarous and unattainable even by gods."
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/kish/sarga62/kishkindha_62_frame.htm
Commentary; yet vayu fans, hanuman fans, parshuram fans, karna fans all insult this mard, this god, this bada$$ king. Maybe cause he was a real man unlike soorya.

Accolades.
1 - Dashrath saw & witnessed both Indra and Ram fight, yet he thought they were equal to eachother: "Rama is equal to Yama and Devendra in valor, to Brihaspati in wisdom and to a mountain in courage."
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga1/ayodhya_1_frame.htm
Dashrath's claims: "My eldest son Rama is equal to Devendra in valor. He is the conqueror of cities of enemies." http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga2/ayodhya_2_frame.htm
Dashrath was one of the kings that aided indra in his campaigns:
"your husband Dasaratha went along with you and other holy kings to help Indra in battle, to a famous city called Vaijayata in which the demon Timidhvaja lived"
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga9/ayodhya_9_frame.htm
Commentary; for Dashrath to go as far claiming Indra being equal to Ram as good of a fighter as he is really tells you how strong indra is. Especially when Ram slew Ravan, Kumbhkarn, Vali etc.

2 - Parashuram respected Indra and worked hard to please him:
"Then the son of Jamadagni of dreaded name, performed a mighty sacrifice and gratified the lord of the celestials, and bestowed the earth to the ministering priests."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03117.htm
Commentary - pay close attention to "the lord of the celestials" it clearly hints at Indra (lord of Devtas).

3 - Indra had the approval of the “tridev” (Brahma, vishnu, Shiva):
“All that Shakra said was again approved and sanctioned by Brahman, by Vishnu, and by Maheshvara.” http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09053.htm

4 - Sanjaya believed that only Indra could murder Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, the sons of Draupadi etc when Krishna, Arjuna, Bheema, Satyaki are present with Yudhisther:

"It was owing to the absence of the Parthas and the intelligent Keshava as also of Satyaki, that Drona's son could accomplish it. Who is there, the lord Indra unexcepted, that is competent to slay them in the presence of these heroes?" https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m10/m10008.htm

Commentary; as per them no napunsak like bhishma or pajeet like karna could have done this, only a REAL MAN LIKE INDRA could achieve this.

5 - Indra was acquainted with Shiva too:
"I seek the protection of Him called Ugra, Sthanu, Shiva, Rudra, Sharva, Ishana, Ishvara, Girisha; and of that boon-giving god who is the Creator and Lord of the universe; of Him whose throat is blue, who is without birth, who is called Shakra, who destroyed the sacrifice of Daksha, and who is called Hara." https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m10/m10007.htm
Indra is after all the only one who could ressurect people in the Mahabharat and Ramayan. No one else besides Krishna ever did that (ashwathama-brahmashir incident where krishna ressurected uttara's baby).
One of his greatest accolades is getting praise from a "karna fan" because those are the most ignorant group of fans besides hanubhakts.

Indra could give boons to people.

1) Then Vasava said "Let the child suck my fingers" Thereupon from the fingers of Indra issued milk sweet as nectar. And since Indra from compassion, said "He will draw his sustenance from me" and showed him that kindness, therefore, the gods named that child Mandhatri.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07059.htm
Commentary;

This same Mandhatri was a powerful emperor that conquered land. Some characters have said Mandhatri was a emperor of the earth, this would include the kingdoms inhabited by vanars. Now please tell me what a lund choosing harami chirkut named "Hanumana" or "karna" could do to a real man like Mandhatri? And dont forget Indra can create multiple Mandhatris, this Mandhatri is barely a fraction of the power of a mard like Indra. So dont even compare a bhuzdil kutta like hanutati or karna to shree mahatma Indra.

2) Geographic based. "These provinces that bear the impurity of my body shall become resourceful and they shall attain renown in world as Malada and Karusha." Thus Indra gave a boon to this place. [1-24-22b, 23a]
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga24/bala_24_frame.htm
Commentary; a chirkut like hanuman or a namard like karna or a pajeet like bhishma does not have the power to do this.

3) Indra gave namard Hanuman a long life;
"oh, ablest Hanuma, the Thousand-eyed Indra kind-heartedly gave you a choicest boon saying that your death occurs only by your own volition"

http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/kish/sarga66/kishkindha_66_frame.htm
4) Ram and Indra:
"O beloved Rama! This boon, which has been sought by you is hard to grant. No offer has, however, been revised by me in the past. Therefore this will come to be. Let all those monkeys and bears along with long-tailed monkeys, who have been killed in battle, by the demons and whose heads and arms have been severed, be alive and active again." http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga120/yuddha_120_frame.htm
Commentary - even Shree Ram asked for Indra's help, yet every indian and hindu insults him. Just cause Indra was more of a mard than hanuman and karna and bhishma................

OTHER POWERS.

Indra was capable of illusions.
1 - He changed his form in Ramayan when he confronted Ram's ancestors. "And on the day of a sacred function called ukthyam, Indra assumed the form of a demon and stole the ritual horse of the chief of the ritual, namely Sagara."
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga39/bala_39_frame.htm
2 - Confusing aryan kings with magic. "Indra stupefied the monarch. The king proceeded alone on his horse, confounded because of the chief of the celestials having stupefied his senses. Afflicted with hunger and thirst, the king's confusion was so great that he could not ascertain the points of the compass. Indeed, afflicted with thirst, he began to wander hither and thither."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13a012.htm

Commentary; Indra could make a opponent believe they are starving when they are not, he controls his enemys mind.
3) Indra could revive people.
A - He revived the gandharvas in Mahabharat
"the Gandharvas became well-pleased and went away with the Apsaras. And the lord of the celestials then, coming to that spot, revived those Gandharvas that had been slain in the encounter with the Kurus, by sprinkling the celestial Amrita over them. And the Pandavas also, having liberated their relatives along with the ladies of the royal household, and having achieved that difficult feat (the defeat of the Gandharvas host) became well-pleased. And those illustrious and mighty warriors worshipped by the Kurus along with their sons and wives, blazed forth in splendour"
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03244.htm
Note; it is clear like water that "lord of the celestials" means "indra", who else could it be? At the time Arjuns dad Indra was ruling over them.
B - He revived the vanaras in Ramayan:
"Rama requested Indra to bring back to life, all the monkeys who had lost their life in the battle. Indra grants the boon and all the dead monkeys are restored to life."

http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga120/yuddha_120_frame.htm

4) Indra could see the future: "That particular arrow is made available to Rama through Sage Agastya by the king of gods, namely Indra, because Indra is a sensible one about the future course of events, and he is also prosperous in securing impossible weaponry, and now Rama fitted such an arrow on his bow and released it towards Khara." [3-30-25] http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/aranya/sarga30/aranya_30_frame.htm

5) Indra had the power to violate boons: {quote} When I begged of him saying, 'lead me to the hell of Yama, rather than making me to live in this body..' Then Indra said this to me, 'Let the Grandparent Brahma's word about your longevity come true...' Thus Indra spared me. {end quotend} http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/aranya/sarga71/aranya_71_frame.htm
Commentary - if he wanted to then Indra could have finished off his beaten opponent but he chose the word of Brahma over his own pleasure. The above quote says Indra spared him, meaning he could have slain Kabandha and ignored the boons that Brahmadev gave Kabandha.

I bet Indra could do the same thing with other enemies if he fought them like Andhakasur or perhaps Ravan himself.

6) Indra could lengthen peoples bones and arms to a vast length of many miles: "When I said to Indra this way, Indra devised for me yojana long arms, also that way a rapier-fanged mouth in my paunch." [WOrds of kabaNDH] http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/aranya/sarga71/aranya_71_frame.htm

"he is outstretching both of his deadly arms, each of which is stretchable to a yojana distance" [How long his arms weRE] http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/aranya/sarga69/aranya_69_frame.htm

7) Indra has the ability to invent new weapons and astras: "fixing on his bowstring a mighty weapon created by Indra" https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08064.htm

Indra could take on many avatars and forms, one of them is Ghatotkaca:

"Indeed, it was the illustrious Indra who created (by lending a portion of himself) the mighty car-warrior Ghatotkacha as a fit antagonist of Karna of unrivalled energy, in consequence of the dart he had given unto Karna (and which was sure to kill the person against whom it would be hurled)." https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01158.htm

Bhishma claims that only Bhagdatt could fight Indra's ansh, not even Drona and Bhishma could win against Bhagdatt so they used him as a puppet to fight Ghatotkaca.

Quote:
Bhishma said "let this one proceed in battle against that wicked warrior, that is to say, king Bhagadatta who is equal unto Purandara himself in fight" Bhishma then addressed Bhagadatta in the presence of the (Kuru) king, saying "Proceed quickly, O great monarch, against that invincible warrior, the son of Hidimva. Resist in battle, with care, and in view of all the bowmen, that Rakshasa of cruel deeds, like Indra in days of old resisting Taraka. Thy weapons are celestial. Thy prowess also is great, O chastiser of foes. In days of old many have been the encounters that thou hadst with Asura, O tiger among kings, thou art that Rakshasa's match in great battle. Strongly supported by thy own troops, slay, O king, that bull among Rakshasas" Hearing these words of Bhishma the generalissimo (of the Kaurava army), Bhagadatta specially set out with a leonine roar facing the ranks of the foe. Beholding him advance towards them like a mass of roaring clouds.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m06/m06096.htm

As Nahusha he won over Bheema.
Quote 1: "In this way Vrikodara lamented profusely. And being bound by the body of the snake, he could not exert himself." https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03178.htm

Quote 2: "I am Bhimasena, the son of Pandu, and next by birth to Yudhishthira the just. And endued as I am with the strength of ten thousand elephants, how hast thou been able to overpower me?" https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03178.htm
Quote 3: "Art thou possessed of any magic, or hast thou received any boon, that although exerting myself, I have been overcome by thee?" https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03178.htm
Quote 4: "When the heroic Bhima of noble deed had said this, the snake caught him, and coiled him all round with his body, having thus subdued that mighty-aimed one, and freed his plump arms alone" https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03178.htm
Quote 5: "this mighty being hath caught me for food. He is the royal sage Nahusha living in the form of a serpent" https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03179.htm
Identity: "As I was falling rapidly from Sakra's throne placed on the front of his palace" https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03178.htm

Though he never showed it we can assume Indra had Brahmastra as it was possessed by Dhrishtadyumn, Yudhisthir too.

ALL IN ALL it is the truth that Indradev, Devraj Indra, the mightiest of all devtas is the most UNDERRATED warrior of mythology.

The original title of this intended post was "Indra is the ultimate mard" or "Indra respect thread" how anyone can compare a group of eunuchs like hanumana, surya, karna to this guy makes no sense. It is a lie when people say "defeating Indra is a trend for the villains".

If it was true then Meghanada would not have gotten that title, many other people would be called Indrajit. As Indra was up their on par as a warrior with the best of the best, he is no lesser than Vishnu, Shiva, Rama etc. His power is equal to them if not more.

Every fan, reader and enthusiast, even andhbhakts should feel happy seeing that Indra was such a good fighter with so many weapons, powers, abilities, achievements and feats. But it seems like they fail to accept him as a great warrior.