Vadgelmir (Vaðgelmir) is ariver or stream inNorse mythology. It is mentioned in theeddic poemsReginsmál (orSigurÞarkviða Fafnisbana önnur,The Second Lay ofSigurdFafnicide) andVöluspá.
Zavaroni translates the name as "Evil-ford".[1]
Völuspá 39 records that breaking anoath, murder, and adultery are among the bad deeds for which entering Vadgelmir is a punishment.[2]
According to a legend recounted inReginsmál ,Loki forcedAndvari to tell him how liars will be punished in theOther World. Andvari responded that their punishment is to enter Vadgelmir.[3]
One English translation of the edda describes the dialogue as follows. Loki asks: "tell me, Andvari! if thou wilt enjoy life in the halls of men, what retribution get the sons of mortals, if with foul words they assail each other".[4] Andvari responds: "[c]ruel retribution get the sons of mortals, who in Vadgelmir wade: for the false words they have against others uttered, the punishments too long endure".[4]
Schorn notes that there is some tension in the dialogue, as Andvari responds to Loki's highly "abstract" question about the fate of liars with a particularized description of a place.[5]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.