Gylfaginning

33
But the father of Winter is variously called Vindljóni (1) or Vindsvalr; (2) he
is the son of Vásadr; (3) and these were kinsmen grim and chilly-breasted, and
Winter has their temper."
XX. Then said Gangleri: "Who are the Ćsir, they in whom it behoves men to
believe?" Hárr answered: "The divine Ćsir are twelve." Then said Jafnhárr: "Not
less holy are the Ásynjur, the goddesses, and they are of no less authority."
Then said Thridi: "Odin is highest and eldest of the Ćsir: he rules all things,
and mighty as are the other gods, they all serve him as children obey a father.
Frigg is his wife, and she knows all the fates of men, though she speaks no
prophecy, --- as is said here, when Odin himself spake with him of the Ćsir
whom men call Loki:

     Thou art mad now, Loki,       and reft of mind,-
           Why, Loki, leav'st thou not off?
     Frigg, methinks,       is wise in all fates,
           Though herself say them not!

Odin is called Allfather because he is father of all the gods. He is also
called Father of the Slain, because all those that fall in battle are the sons
of his adoption; for them he appoints Valhall (4) and Vingólf, (5) and they are
then called Champions. He is also called God of the Hanged, God of Gods, God of
Cargoes; and he has also been named in many more ways, after he had come to
King Geirrödr:

1. Wind-bringer? (Simrock). 2. Wind-chill. 3. Wet and sleety (Cl.-Vig.).
4. Hall of the Slain. 5. Friendly Floor.

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     We were called Grímr and Gangleri,
           Herjann, Hjálmberi;
     Thekkr, Thridi, Thudr, Udr,
           Helblindi, Hárr.
     Sadr, Svipall, Sann-getall,
           Herteitr, Hnikarr;
     Bileygr, Báleygr, Bölverkr, Fjölnir,
           Grímnir, Glapsvidr, Fjölsvidr.
     Sídhöttr, Sidskeggr, Sigfödr, Hnikudr,
           Alfödr, Atrídr, Farmatýr;
     Óski, Ómi, Jafnhárr, Biflindi,
           Göndlir, Hárbardr.
     Svidurr, Svidrir, Jálkr, Kjalarr, Vidurr,
           Thrór, Yggr, Thundr;
     Vakr, Skilfingr, Váfudr, Hroptatýr,
           Gautr, Veratýr."

Then said Gangleri: "Exceeding many names have ye given him; and, by my faith,
it must indeed be a goodly wit that knows all the lore and the examples of what
chances have brought about each of these names." Then Hárr made answer: "It is
truly a vast sum of knowledge to gather (1) together and set forth fittingly.
But it is briefest to tell thee that most of his names have been given him by
reason of this chance: there being so many branches of tongues in the world,
all peoples believed that it was needful for them to turn his name into their
own tongue, by which they might the better invoke him and entreat him on their
own

1. Literally, to rake into rows.
35
behalf. But some occasions for these names arose in his wanderings; and that
matter is recorded in tales. Nor canst thou ever be called a wise man if thou
shalt not be able to tell of those great events."
XXI. Then said Gangleri: "What are the names of the other Ćsir, or what is
their office, or what deeds of renown have they done?" Hárr answered: "Thor is
the foremost of them, he that is called Thor of the Ćsir, or Oku-Thor; he is
strongest of all the gods and men. He has his realm in the place called
Thrúdvangar, (1) and his hall is called Bilskirnir; (2) in that hall are five
hundred rooms and forty. That is the greatest house that men know of; it is
thus said in Grímnismál:

     Five hundred floors and more than forty,
           So reckon I Bilskirnir with bending ways;
     Of those houses that I know of hall-roofed,
           My son's I know the most.

Thor has two he-goats, that are called Tooth-Gnasher and Tooth-Gritter, and a
chariot wherein he drives, and the he-goats draw the chariot; therefore is he
called Oku-Thor. (3) He has also three things of great price: one is the hammer
Mjöllnir, which the Rime-Giants and the Hill-Giants know, when it is raised on
high; and that is no wonder,- it has bruised many a skull among their fathers
or their kinsmen. He has a second costly thing, best of all: the

1. Plains of strength. 2. From the flashing of light (Cl.-Vig.). 3. According
to Cleasby-Vigfússon, a popular etymology. "Oku is not to be derived from áka
(to drive), but is rather of Finnish origin, Ukko being the Thunder-god of the
Chudic tribes.' Jónsson, however, allows Snorri's etymology to stand.

36
girdle of might; and when be clasps it about him, then the godlike strength
within him is increased by half. Yet a third thing he has, in which there is
much virtue: his iron gloves; he cannot do without them when he uses his
hammer-shaft. But no one is so wise that he can tell all his mighty works; yet
I can tell thee so much tidings of him that the hours would be spent before all
that I know were told."
XXII. Then said Gangleri: "I would ask tidings of more Ćsir." Hárr replied:
"The second son of Odin is Baldr, and good things are to be said of him. He is
best, and all praise him; he is so fair of feature, and so bright, that light
shines from him. A certain herb is so white that it is likened to Baldr's brow;
of all grasses it is whitest, and by it thou mayest judge his fairness, both in
hair and in body. He is the wisest of the Ćsir, and the fairest-spoken and most
gracious; and that quality attends him, that none may gainsay his judgments. He
dwells in the place called Breidablik, (1) which is in heaven; in that place
may nothing unclean be, even as is said here:

     Breidablik 't is called, where Baldr has
           A hall made for himself:
     In that land where I know lie
           Fewest baneful runes.

XXIII. "The third among the Ćsir is he that is called Njördr: he dwells in
heaven, in the abode called Nóatún. He rules the course of the wind, and stills
sea and fire; on him shall men call for voyages and for hunting. He is so

1. Broad-gleaming.
 



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