Asatru Folk Assembly - December 11, 2023


Vafþrúðnismál, a reading

Hosted by
Steve McNallen
Mentioned
Vathrudnir Frigg My Gagnarad Vaftrudnir Bergomir Algormir Ymir Oer Mokhtrasir Vafru Nyr Bafru Nir Thrudgermir Vafruudnir Baffrudnir Thremfaxi Hlaesvelk Baflodnir Ragnarok Skinfaxi Vafrunir Vanaheim and 7 more
On Courage (from VNS Episode 16) Hávamál, a reading

Episode Stats


Length

17 minutes

Words per minute

118.83

Word count

2,050

Sentence count

118

Harmful content

Misogyny

2

sentences flagged

Hate speech

12

sentences flagged


Summary

Summaries generated with gmurro/bart-large-finetuned-filtered-spotify-podcast-summ .

Odin is characterized by his obsessive quest for wisdom, particularly for information about Ragnarok. In this poem, he sets off against his wife s advice, disguised as a poor wanderer, to test his wisdom against the giant Vaflirudinir.

Transcript

Transcript generated with Whisper (turbo).
Misogyny classifications generated with MilaNLProc/bert-base-uncased-ear-misogyny .
Hate speech classifications generated with facebook/roberta-hate-speech-dynabench-r4-target .
Hosts, guests, and mentioned names generated with spaCy (en_core_web_sm), reconciled against Wikidata.
00:00:00.000 Farroodness mall bar fruit near sayings as the blue spa have a mall and grimness mall
00:00:29.980 show, Odin is characterized by his obsessive quest for wisdom, particularly for information
00:00:36.620 about Ragnarok.
00:00:38.740 In this poem, he sets off against his wife's advice, disguised as a poor wanderer, to test
00:00:44.660 his wisdom against the giant Váfrúðnýr, known only from this poem.
00:00:50.360 Once Odin has proved his mettle by answering questions which the giant puts to him, he
00:00:55.960 is invited to risk his head in questioning the giant.
00:00:59.220 While Floridnismal belongs to the genre of the Wisdom Contest, known in many other cultures.
00:01:07.040 Two protagonists ask each other questions or riddles until one fails to answer.
00:01:11.920 Thus, the questioner must know the answer to his question.
00:01:15.140 The answerer corroborates the interlocutor's information, rather than providing new facts.
00:01:20.660 The trick question, with which Odin wins the contest, seems to be a favorite of his,
00:01:25.220 since he also uses it to secure victory in the riddle contest against King Heydric in Heydric's Saga.
00:01:33.080 Vaflirudinir's questions elicit simple mythological facts.
00:01:37.340 The names of the horses who draw the day and the night,
00:01:39.760 the name of the river which divides giants and gods,
00:01:42.560 and of the field on which the Battle of Ragnarok will be fought.
00:01:46.260 Odin's questions are more pointed.
00:01:48.880 He draws out the history of the universe, its past and present,
00:01:53.680 culminating in questions about the future in Ragnarok.
00:01:58.080 Some scholars have speculated Odin's real aim is to discover his own fate.
00:02:04.180 Once he hears about the wolf, he brings the contest to a speedy end
00:02:07.920 with this unanswerable question.
00:02:11.560 Odin alone knows what he whispered into Baldur's ear,
00:02:14.660 but it has been guessed that Baldur is assured of his return after Ragnarok.
00:02:19.620 as the Varuspa tells us
00:02:23.360 to rule over the gods who survive.
00:02:26.900 As a contest between god and giant,
00:02:28.860 Bafurudinus' model is mimetic of the Ragnarok.
00:02:32.580 Bafurudinus' answers emphasize the ancientness
00:02:35.700 and authority of the giants as the first beings.
00:02:39.400 But Odin's questions lead away from the giants
00:02:42.800 and their claims to the final triumph of gods and men.
00:02:45.860 It is they, Odin's descendants and creations, if not Odin himself, who survived the final
00:02:53.620 conflagration.
00:02:54.820 The giants may have had a past, but they have no future, while Furudnir's defeat in the
00:03:02.140 contest symbolizes the final defeat in rhyme of the giant race.
00:03:10.900 Odin said, Revise me now, Frigg, for I long to journey to visit Vaflirudnir.
00:03:17.820 I have a great curiosity contend in ancient matters with that all-wise giant.
00:03:24.180 Frigg said, I'd rather keep the father of hosts at home in the courts of the gods,
00:03:30.740 for I know no giant to be as powerful as Vaflirudnir is.
00:03:36.240 Odin said, Much I have traveled, much I have tried out.
00:03:40.900 Much have I tested the powers, this I want to know.
00:03:45.260 What kind of company is found in Vothrudnir's hall?
00:03:49.700 Frigg said,
00:03:52.040 Journey safely, come back safely, be safe on the way.
00:03:57.180 May your mind be sufficient, Lin, father of men, you speak with the giant.
00:04:03.240 Then Odin went to try the wisdom of all the wise giants.
00:04:07.260 To the hall he came, which M's father owned, Odin went inside.
00:04:15.440 Odin said, Greetings, Vafrudnir, now I have come into the hall to see you in person.
00:04:22.580 This I want to know first, whether you are wise or very wise, giant.
00:04:30.100 Vafrudnir said, What man is this who dresses me in hostile fashion in my hall?
00:04:36.860 May you not come out of our halls alive, unless you should be the wiser one.
00:04:42.740 Odin said, Gagnarad, I am called.
00:04:46.620 Now I have come walking, thirsty to your hall, in need of hospitality and of your welcome.
00:04:53.800 I have journeyed long, giants.
00:04:56.760 Vathrudnir said, My Gagnarad, do you speak thus from the floor?
00:05:02.580 take a seat in the hall. Then we shall test which one knows more, the guest or the old
00:05:08.820 sage.
00:05:09.820 Olin said, The poor man who comes to the wealthy one should speak when needful, or
00:05:17.060 be silent. To be talkative, I think, will bring bad results when one comes to the cold-ribbed
00:05:22.700 man. 0.99
00:05:23.700 Bafirudin said, Tell me, Gingrad, since on the hall floor you want to try your skill,
00:05:32.140 that horse is called who draws every day over mankind. Odin said, Skinfaxi the
00:05:40.460 shining one is called, who draws day over mankind. The best of horses he's helped
00:05:47.020 to be among the red goths, always the horse's main gleams. Vafrudnir said,
00:05:55.720 tell me Gengrad, since on the hall floor you want to try your skill, what that
00:06:01.500 horse is called, who from the east draws night to the noble gods.
00:06:06.780 Odin said, Thremfaxi he is called, who draws every night to the noble gods.
00:06:14.000 Foam from his bit he let fall every morning.
00:06:18.260 From there, dew comes to the valleys.
00:06:22.560 Vafruudnir said, Tell me, Gengarad, since on the hall floor you want to try your skill,
00:06:29.960 that river is called which divides the land between the sons of giants and the gods. Odin
00:06:36.780 said, Ifin, the river is called, which divides the land between the sons of giants and the
00:06:42.920 gods. Freely it will flow through all time. Ice never forms on the river. Vafdrudnir
00:06:51.900 said, Tell me, Gengred, since on the whole floor you want to try your skill. What that
00:06:59.180 plane is called where in battle cert and the gracious gods will meet odin said vigrid that
00:07:08.060 plane is called where in battle cert and the gracious gods will meet a hundred leagues it is
00:07:14.780 in each direction that's the field ordained for them the fruit near said wise you are guest come
00:07:25.340 Come to the giant's bench, and we will speak together in the seats.
00:07:30.500 We shall wager our heads in the hall guessed on your wisdom.
00:07:38.220 Odin said, tell me this one thing, if your mind is sufficient and you Vathrudnir know.
00:07:45.020 From where the earth came or the sky above first, O wise giant, Vathrudnir said. 0.64
00:07:54.580 From Ymir's flesh the earth was shaped
00:07:58.020 And the mountains from his bones 0.88
00:08:00.420 The sky from the skull of the frost-cold giants
00:08:04.860 And the sea from his blood
00:08:07.360 Odin said
00:08:10.020 Tell me the second thing
00:08:12.360 If your mind is sufficient 0.88
00:08:13.800 And you, Vafurnir, know
00:08:16.260 From where the moon came
00:08:19.660 So that it journeys over men
00:08:21.740 And likewise the sun
00:08:23.820 Vathrudnir said, Munderfeiri, he is called, the father of moon and likewise of sun.
00:08:35.720 They must circle through the sky every day to count the years for men.
00:08:41.840 Odin said, Tell me this third thing, since you are said to be wise, and you Vathrudnir know.
00:08:49.300 Where day comes from, he who passes over mankind, or night with its new moons? 0.66
00:08:59.460 Vafrudnir said, Deling he is called, he is Day's father, and night was born of Nur. 0.65
00:09:08.140 Full moon and old by the gods were fashioned, to count the years for men.
00:09:13.660 Odin said, Tell me this fourth thing, since you were said to be wise, and you, Vathrudnir,
00:09:21.220 know from where winter came, a warm summer, first among the gracious gods.
00:09:28.560 Vathrudnir said, Vinsfal, he is called Winter's father, and Svorsuth, the father of summer.
00:09:41.760 Odin said, Tell me this fifth thing, since you are said to be wise, and you Vafthrudnir know,
00:09:48.480 who was the eldest of the Aesir, all of Ymir's descendants in bygone days.
00:09:57.420 Vafthrudnir said, Uncountable winters before the earth was made. 0.98
00:10:06.260 Vafthrudnir said, Uncountable winters before the earth was made.
00:10:11.760 Then Bergomir was born, Thrudgermir was his father, and Algormir was his grandfather.
00:10:21.760 Odin said, Tell me the sixth thing, since you are said to be wise, and you Vathrunir know,
00:10:29.760 from where Algormir came among the sons of giants, first the wise giants.
00:10:37.760 Vathrunir said, Out of Eldwager sprayed poison drops, so they grew until the giant came of them.
00:10:47.760 From there arose all our clan, thus they are always terrifying.
00:10:54.760 Odin said, Tell me the seventh thing, since you are said to be wise, and you Vathrunir know.
00:11:02.760 How'd he got children, that fierce giant, when he had no sport with giantesses?
00:11:09.760 Vathrunir said, They said that under the frost giant's arms, a girl and boy grew together.
00:11:17.760 One foot with the other, the wise giant begot a six-headed son.
00:11:23.760 Odin said, Tell me this eighth thing, since you were said to be wise, and you Vathrunir know.
00:11:31.760 What you first remember, or what you know to be earliest, you are all wise, Giants.
00:11:40.240 Vafrunir said,
00:11:42.300 Uncountable winters before the world was made, then Bergomir was born,
00:11:48.180 and I remember first when the wise Giant was first laid in his coffin.
00:11:55.420 Odin said,
00:11:56.520 Tell me this ninth thing, since you are said to be wise, and you, Vafrudnir, know,
00:12:03.380 Where the wind comes from, which blows over the waves, which men never see itself.
00:12:12.180 Vafrudnir said, Hlaesvelk, he is called, who sits at heaven's end, a giant in eagle's shape.
00:12:20.460 From his wings, they say, the wind blows over all men.
00:12:24.300 Odin said, Tell me this tenth thing, since all the faith that is fixed through the gods
00:12:31.940 you, Vaftrudnir, know, from where Njord came to the sons of the Aesir, rich in temples
00:12:39.640 and shrines he rules, and he was not raised among the Aesir.
00:12:46.040 Vaftrudnir said, In Vanaheim the wise ones made him, and gave him as hostage to the gods.
00:12:54.300 At the doom of men, he will come back, home among the wise Vanir.
00:13:01.800 Odin said, tell me that eleventh thing, where men fight in the courts every day.
00:13:08.500 Vafru Nyr said, all the Einherjar heroes fight in Odin's courts every day.
00:13:15.800 They choose the slain and ride from the battle.
00:13:19.040 Then they sit the more at peace together.
00:13:21.220 Odin said, Tell me this twelfth thing, why all the fate that is fixed for the gods you
00:13:29.900 Váfrúdnir know. Of the runes of the giants and of all the gods, tell most truly all wise
00:13:37.260 giants. Váfrúdnir said, Of the runes of the giants
00:13:43.500 and of all the gods, I can tell truly, for I have been into every world. Nine worlds
00:13:50.260 I have traveled through to Niflhel, there men die down out of hell.
00:13:56.800 Odin said, Much I have traveled, much I have tried out, much I have tested the gods,
00:14:04.140 which humans will survive when the famous mighty winter is over among men.
00:14:10.140 Baflodnir said, Live and live dress you, and they will hide and hold the Mir Mir's wood. 0.78
00:14:18.060 They will have the morning dew for food. From them generations will spring. 0.99
00:14:26.560 Odin said, Much I have traveled, much I have tried out, much I have tested the gods.
00:14:33.400 From where will a sun come into the smooth heaven when Finrear has destroyed this one?
00:14:40.720 Bafrinir said, Our Flothor will bear a daughter before Finrear destroys her.
00:14:48.060 She shall ride, where the gods die, the maiden on her mother's paths. 0.51
00:14:54.940 Odin said, Much I have traveled, much I have tried out, much have I tested the gods. 0.97
00:15:02.480 Who are those girls who glide over the sea? 0.91
00:15:06.000 Wise in spirit they journey.
00:15:09.800 Baffrudnir said, Oer Mokhtrasir's hill shall the maidens pass, and three of those throngs that came.
00:15:18.060 Theirs are the only protective spirits in the world, though they came of the giant's kin.
00:15:25.900 Odin said,
00:15:27.360 Much I have traveled, much I have tried out, much I have attested the gods,
00:15:32.960 which I seer will rule over the gods' realm when search fire is slaked.
00:15:39.140 Bafrudnir said,
00:15:41.380 Vidar and Vali will live in the gods' home when search fire is slaked.
00:15:47.120 Odin said,
00:15:56.740 Much I have traveled, much I have tried out, much I have tested the gods.
00:16:02.140 What will Odin's life end be when the powers are torn apart?
00:16:07.620 Bafru Nir said,
00:16:09.840 The wolf will swallow the father of men, and this shall Vithar avenge.
00:16:15.200 The cold jaws shall he sunder, and so the wolf shall he slay. 0.78
00:16:22.800 Odin said, Much I have traveled, much I have tried out, much I have tested the gods.
00:16:28.880 What did Odin say in his son's ear, ere in the balefire he burned?
00:16:36.480 Bafrudnir said, No man can tell what in the olden times you said in your son's ear.
00:16:43.080 With fated mouth, the fall of the gods in mine ancient lore, have I told
00:16:48.600 With Odin and knowledge, now I have striven, and ever the wiser thou art
00:17:13.080 You