Nīvātakavacas

The Nīvātakavacas were a tribe of dānavas of great power. They lived in Pātāla, the realm below the earth. The name nīvāta-kavaca means “covered in unbreakable armour”. They were enemies of Indra and the devas. Arjuna destroyed them on his way back from svarga, at Indra’s command.

Who they were

The Nīvātakavacas were not one single being. They were a whole class, or tribe, of dānavas. What marked them out was their armour. They won it through great tapas (austerity) or through divine varas (boons). It made them safe from the weapons of the devas.

They lived in Pātāla, and from there they threatened the order of the three worlds from time to time. They had received varas that made them almost impossible for the devas to defeat.

Indra’s message

Yudhiṣṭhira first heard of the Nīvātakavacas through Lomaśa. Lomaśa brought him a message from Indra in svarga. Arjuna had to stay in Indraloka for two reasons: to receive divine weapons, and to use them. The Nīvātakavacas had to be destroyed. Only Arjuna, with the divine weapons newly given to him, could do it.

Arjuna’s battle

Arjuna went down to Pātāla in the divine chariot driven by Mātali. There he met the Nīvātakavacas and fought them in a great battle. Their armour held against many weapons. But the Pāśupatāstra and the weapons of Indra could break even their magical protection. Arjuna destroyed them and so did the task Indra had given him.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 47