The Rudraksha are obtained from the Rudraksha tree, which grows in parts of southeast Asia. These trees are botanically known as Elaeocarpus Ganitrus, and they are majorly found in the upper Himalayan mountain areas of the Indian subcontinent. The Rudrasha are dried seeds from this tree and are considered to be holy beads.
The word Rudraksha is derived from two words-- Rudra meaning tears and Aksha meaning eyes. And so, Rudraksha literally means the “tears of Lord Shiva''. Legends say that Shiva once sat in a meditative state for a very long time, and everyone thought that he was dead. But off and on, tears of ecstasy flowed from his eyes-- and these were the only signs of life that he showed. These tear drops fell on the Earth and created the Rudraksha.
