How strong was Indra according to the original Valmiki Ramayana?

 Indra, the Lord of the devas was an exceptionally powerful warrior according to Valmiki Ramayana. He had his fair share of victories and defeats.

A. Victories and acheivements of Indra -

1. Indra killed a demoness named Manthara who wanted to destroy the earth -

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.

• Sarga 25, Bala Kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

2. Indra killed Vishvarupa -

That enraged Hanuma the son of wind-god chopped off with that sharp sword, his three heads furnished with diadems and ear-rings, like Indra the lord of celestials chopped off the heads of Vishvarupa the son of Tvashta.

• Sarga 70, Yuddha kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

3. Indra killed the asura Puloma -

As soon as possible I wish to eliminate that Ravana with sharp arrows, as has been done by the enemy slayer Indra when he eliminated the insolent father of Sachi Devi, namely Puloma."

• Sarga 39, Kishkindha kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

4. Indra killed Vrita, Bala and Namuchi -

As with fall of demon Vrita 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.

• Sarga 30, Aranya Kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

5. Indra killed Shambara -

Beaten down by me, as Shambara by Indra and Naraka by Vishnu, I will lay down Rama today in battle.

• Sarga 69, Yuddha kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

6. Indra defeated Kabandha but spared his life -

Having been blessed with long life and thinking, what can Indra do to me?, I attacked him. The thunderbolt having a hundred nodes deployed by Indra pierced my thighs and my head. Entreated, he did not send me to the abode of Yama ( lord of death) and said, 'Let the words of the creator be true'.

• Sarga 71, Aranya Kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

7. Indra fought evenly with Ravana -

Thereupon Shakra stretched his great bow that gave forth a thunderous noise and, when he drew it, the twanging of that weapon caused the quarters to resound. Then Indra bending that great bow, let fall his flaming arrows like unto fire or the sun on Ravana’s head and, on his side, that powerful titan covered his rival with a hail of arrows loosed from his bow and both showered down missiles on every side so that nothing could be distinguished and the whole firmament was enveloped in darkness.”

• Sarga 28, Uttara Kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

B. Defeats and retreats of Indra -

1. Bali Maharaja defeated Indra and all the devas -

In the meantime, when Vishnu was in his asceticism in this hermitage, the son of King Virochana, namely Bali, has completely conquered all the assemblages of gods together with Indra and his coterie called Wind-gods, and ruling that kingdom where that hermitage is there, he has become renowned in all the three worlds for his magnanimity.

• Sarga 29, Bala Kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

2. Indrajit defeated Indra by using the Tamasi Maya obtained from Lord Shiva -

Standing in his chariot, Ravani, who was transported with rage, penetrated into the ranks of the redoubtable Celestial Host and routed the army by resorting to the power of illusion that had been conferred on him by Pashupati. Then, leaving the Gods aside, he rushed on Shakra himself, and the highly energetic Mahendra did not observe the son of his adversary. The Gods, however, whose strength was immeasurable, severed Ravani’s armour, even wounding him, but he remained unperturbed and with his excellent shafts pierced Matali who was advancing towards him, covering Mahendra afresh with a hail of missiles. Thereupon Shakra descended from his chariot dismissing his charioteer, and mounting Airavata, he pursued Ravani, who had made himself invisible through his magic power, but he, springing into the sky, assailed him with arrows. Seeing that Indra was exhausted, Ravani bound him by his magic and led him to the side where his own army was.

• Chapter 29, Uttara Kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

3. Kumbhakarana made Indra flee to Brahma's world -

Enraged, Mahendra struck Kumbhakarna with his mighty thunderbolt and, at the impact of Indra’s weapon, that giant reeled howling with terror. When the cries of the titan were heard, the fear of those beings increased, and in his anger, the mighty Kumbhakarna tore out one of Airavata’s tusks in order to pierce Vasava’s breast and, under the blows of that monster, Indra appeared like a flame. Seeing this, the Devas, Brahmarishis and Danavas were thunderstruck and Shakra with those Celestials went to Svayambhu’s abode and informed Prajapati of Kumbhakarna’s wickedness.

• Sarga 61, Yuddha kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

4. Atikaya neutralized Indra's vajra with his arrows -

He is Atikaya, who paralyzed the thunderbolt of the intelligent Indra with his arrows. He struck down the noose of Varuna, the seizer of transgressor.

• Sarga 71, Yuddha kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

5. All the devas ( which includes Indra) fled in terror when Maharaksha invoked the spear of Shiva -

Deprived of his car, Maharaksha, that prowler of the night, stood on the ground and, armed with his spear, he shone like Fire at the dissolution of the worlds; and he was irresistible with his great lance, a gift from Shiva, that glittered in the air like unto the weapon of destruction. Beholding that great spear that emitted flames, the Gods, struck with terror fled on all sides whilst that ranger of the night, lifting it up, hurled it with fury against the magnanimous Raghava.

• Sarga 79, Yuddha kanda, Valmiki Ramayana.

Overall despite his many defeats, Indra is still an exceptionally powerful warrior capable of striking down even the most powerful Daityas.

What are the names of all the Apsaras of Indra?

 

The apsaras within Lord India's court and lovely dancers and beautiful. There are two types of apsaras which are Laukika(worldly) and Daivika(divine). Ten apsaras of Lord India's court are mentioned.

“Ghritachi and Menaka and Rambha and Purvachitti and Swayamprabha and Urvashi and Misrakeshi and Dandagauri and Varuthini and Gopali and Sahajanya and Kumbhayoni and Prajagara and Chitrasena and Chitralekha and Saha and Madhuraswana, these and others by thousands, possessed of eyes like lotus leaves, who were employed in enticing the hearts of persons practising rigid austerities, danced there. And possessing slim waists and fair large hips, they began to perform various evolutions, shaking their deep bosoms, and casting their glances around, and exhibiting other attractive attitudes capable of stealing the hearts and resolutions and minds of the spectators.”

The Vana Parva of the Mahabharata has mentioned the important apsaras of Lord India's court.

Tilottama is one of the beautiful apsaras within Lord India's court who was created by the divine Vishwakarma and she helped the world because she created quarrel between Sundaa and Upasunda the two demons and they slayed themselves.

Natya Shastra mentions some of the apsaras which are Manjukesi, Sukesi, Misrakesi, Sulochana, Saudamini, Devadatta, Devasena, Manorama, Sudati, Sundari, Vigagdha, Vividha, Budha, Sumala, Santati, Sunanda, Sumukhi, Magadhi, Arjuni, Sarala, Kerala, Dhrti, Nanda, Supuskala, Supuspamala and Kalabha.

Urvashi is the chief of the apsaras and beautiful who is the favourite of Lord Indra. She was created by Lord Narayana. She marries Pururavas on two promises and when one of the promises is not fulfilled she went to heaven. She also wanted to marry Arjun. She cursed him when he refused to marry her.

Punjikasthala is one of the apsaras who was cursed to be a female vanara and she became Anjana the mother of Lord Hanumana. She married the vanara chief Kesari. She was freed from the curse after the Ramayana.

Pic source- Internet.

How did Brahman/Yaksha break Indra's arrogance?

 Brahman (here portrayed as Shiva) breaking the Pride of the devas is described in Kena Upanishad.

Devas became arrogant because of their victories disregarding the fact that they obtained it only due to Brahman. Brahman therefore appeared before them to test them

The Brahman won a victory for the Devas and in that victory of the Brahman the Devas attained glory. They thought ‘the victory is ours and this glory is ours alone.’ He (Brahman) knew this notion of theirs and appeared before them. What that Great Spirit was they did not know.

• Verses 14–15, part 3, Kena Upanishad.

The devas sent Agni to find out who this person was. Brahman put forward a straw and asked Agni to burn it if he can. Agni tried but failed miserably

They addressed the Fire thus “O Jataveda! Find out what this Great Spirit is.” He said “yes.” He ran to That. That said to him “who art thou?” He replied “I am Agni or I am Jataveda.” That said “what power, in thee so named, is lodged.’ He replied “I can burn even all this, on the earth.” That (Brahman) placed a straw before him and said: ‘Burn this.’ He approached it with all haste but was not able to burn it. He immediately returned from thence to the Devas and said I was not able to learn what this Great Spirit is.”

• Verses 16–19, part 3, Kena Upanishad.

The devas sent Vayu to find out who this person was. Brahman put forward a straw and asked Vayu to blow it away if he can. Vayu tried but failed miserably

The Devas then said to Vayu: “Learn O Vayu! what this Great Spirit is” He said: “yes.” He ran to That. That said: “who art thou”? lie replied: “I am Vayu or Matarisva.” That said “what power is in thee; so well known?” He replied: “I can blow away all the universe and all that is on the earth.” That (Brahman) placed a straw before him and said “Blow it away.” He approached it with all speed but was not able to blow it. He returned immediately from there and told the Devas “I was not able to learn who this Great Spirit is.”

• Verses 20–23, part 3, Kena Upanishad.

Finally, the devas send Indra to find out the person’s identity. As he approached, Indra saw the great Uma Parvati beside the man. She revealed that the man was Brahman himself

Then they said to Indra: “Maghavan! learn what this Great Spirit is.” He said “yes” and ran to That. That vanished from his view. He beheld in that very spot a woman, Uma, very beautiful and of golden hue, daughter of Himavat. He said to her “What is this Great Spirit?” She said “It is Brahman indeed. Attain glory in the victory of Brahman.” From her words only, he learned that it was Brahman.

• Verses and 24–26, Part 3 and 4, Kena Upanishad.

Because Indra realised the Brahman, he became the best among the devas

These Devas Agni, Vayu and Indra therefore much excel others, because they touched the Brahman nearest. They it was who first knew the Spirit to be Brahman. Therefore also does Indra considerably excel other Devas because he approached Brahman nearest and because he first knew the Spirit to be Brahman.

• Verses 27–28, part 4, Kena Upanishad.

What was the significant boon given by Indra to King Kuru, and how did it affect battles in Kurukshetra?

 

The boon that Indra gave to King Kuru that anyone dying on the land of Kurukshetra would attain heaven regardless of their deeds had psychological implications during the Kurukshetra war,

“The very dust of Kurukshetra, borne away by the wind, shall cleanse persons of wicked acts and bear them to heaven!" The foremost ones amongst the gods, as also those amongst the Brahmanas, and many foremost ones among the kings of the Earth such as Nriga and others, having performed costly sacrifices here, after abandoning their bodies, proceeded to heaven. The space between the Tarantuka and the Arantuka and the lakes of Rama and Shamachakra, is known as Kurukshetra. Samantapanchaka is called the northern (sacrificial) altar of Brahman, the Lord of all creatures. Auspicious and highly sacred and much regarded by the denizens of heaven is this spot that possesses all attributes. It is for this that Kshatriyas slain in battle here obtain sacred regions of eternal blessedness. Even this was said by Shakra himself about the high blessedness of Kurukshetra. All that Shakra said was again approved and sanctioned by Brahman, by Vishnu, and by Maheshvara.'"

Shalya Parva Section 53 K M Ganguli’s Mahabharat

It made Kurukshetra a sacred battlefield, deflecting it from a dynastic conflict.

Arrogant and power-hungry, in his final moments, lying mortally wounded, Duryodhan declares he would go to heaven and mock the Pandavas. This reflects a belief in heavenly reward despite his actions.

Karna deeply believed in Dharma. He knew he had sinned (e.g., in Draupadi’s humiliation).

Kurukshetra being a holy land gave him hope that death would redeem him.

King Kuru’s boon, the safety net it provided shaped the ethos of Kurukshetra war — where even the worst of sinners could die as warriors and ascend.

Drona and Bhishma fighting on the side of Evil (the Kauravas) despite knowing the moral truth but deeply tied to their sense of duty and personal vows, were possibly aware of Kurukshetra’s spiritual boon.

The deaths of valiant Kshatriyas at the battle of Kurukshetra with the boon transforms the tragedy into a spiritually sacrifice.

picture from online source