What is Rudraksha ?

Rudraksha Tree                                                  

        

Rudra" is a name of Lord Shiva whereas "Aksha" means tears.

Different Stages of Rudraksha Beads

Rudraksha bead is a plant product, contains carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and trace elements in combined from. The percentage compositions of their gaseous elements are determined by CHN analyzer and by gas chromatography. The results shows that rudraksha beads consist of 50.031% Carbon, 0.95% Nitrogen, 17.897% Hydrogen and 30.53% Oxygen.

The word Rudraksha has its etymological beginnings in the two Sanskrit words "Rudra" and "Aksha" meaning Lord Shiva and Teardrops respectively. 

According to "Shiva Purana", Lord Shiva once went into deep meditation for the well being of all living creatures. When he woke up, he opened his eyes and tear drops fell on the Earth. These tear drops took the form of seeds that later on became the Rudraksha tree. Rudraksha therefore means 'The Tear of Lord Shiva'. The dry seed-capsules from the Rudraksha tree form the rudraksha beads, which are being used as a rosary and are also worn as a chain.