The nivatakavachas (sa|निवातकवच|lit=the impenetrable armoured ones|translit=Nivātakavaca) are a sect of daityas, the children of Kashyapa and Diti, classified under the race of asuras in Hindu mythology. They are best known for their battles against Ravana and Arjuna, the latter of which caused their annihilation.[1]
Thirty million nivatakavachas were born in the daitya clan. Allied with the kalakeyas, they triumphed over the devas in battle. They are described to have been skilled in magic and warfare, wielding powerful weapons to defeat their foes.
The nivatakavachas are said to have terrorised the world, living deep beneath the ocean, and residing in the city of Maṇimatī after securing boons from Brahma. In the Ramayana, Ravaṇa with his sons Meghanada, Atikaya, and with his army attacked these daityas, but though he defeated the sect, due to Brahma's boon, he was unable to kill them. The two sides finally formed an alliance after Brahma intervened.[2]
The Javanese Kakawin Ramayana has an episode named Arjunawiwaha (the marriage of Arjuna), which is set up on the incidents that take place surrounding Arjuna's exploits of the nivatakavachas. The city of the danavas in this poem is known as Manimantaka. Apart from the protagonist Arjuna, other main characters of the poem include Sakra, the king of the devas, and Suprabha, a celestial nymph who helps Arjuna on his mission.[3]