Study › Runes & Norse › Odin and Vafthrudnir
In the poem Vafþrúðnismál, Odin and the wise giant Vafthrudnir test each other's knowledge, with their heads at stake. Odin wins with a question only he can answer.
The wager
Against Frigg's advice, Odin travelled to the hall of Vafthrudnir, the wisest of the giants, to test his knowledge. Calling himself Gagnrad, he entered, and the giant agreed to a contest of wisdom with the loser's head as the stake.
The questions
In the poem Vafþrúðnismál they question each other in turn: where the earth and sky came from, which horses draw day and night, how the first giant was born, who will survive Ragnarok, and what will become of the Sun. The giant answers everything.
The last question
Then Odin asks his last question: what did Odin whisper into the ear of his son Baldr before Baldr was laid upon the funeral pyre? No one but Odin could know. Vafthrudnir recognises his guest at once, and admits that he has lost his head to the wisest of all. The poem never tells us what Odin whispered.
Read Odin, Baldr and the jotnar.
Questions
What did Odin whisper to Baldr?
No one knows. The poem never says.
What name did Odin use?
Gagnrad.