Why do we use Rudraksha during worship ?

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Why do we use Rudraksha during worship ?

 

Rudraksha beads are strung into strands and worn on the body. These

malas are also used in the practice of japa.

Rudraksha names both a sacred seed and the tree that bears it. In

English, it is called the Blue Marble tree, or, less commonly, the

Utrasum bead tree. It is known botanically by the names Elaeocarpus

sphaericus, E. grandis and E. ganitrus.

 

All legends of the origin of Rudraksha describe them as the tears

shed by Lord Siva for the benefit of humanity. "Rudra" stems from

the Sanskrit rud or rodana, which means "to cry." It is the original

name for Siva as it appears in the Rig Veda. Aksha means "eye," and

thus Rudraksha beads are deemed the tears of Siva.

 

Naveen Patnaik briefly tells the tale in The Garden of Life, "Rudra

wept when He witnessed the towering metropolis, Tripura, or triple

city, created by man's superbly ambitious technology. In its

arrogance, this magnificent human creation had undermined the

balance between the Earth, atmosphere and sky. Then, according to

the Mahabharata, having shed the implacable tear which turned into a

Rudraksha bead, 'The Lord of the Universe drew his bow and unleashed

his arrows at the triple city, burning its demons and hurling them

into the western ocean, for the welfare of creation.' " Wearing the

Rudraksha, devotees remind themselves of God's compassion for the

human predicament, His watchful love for us all.

 

 

Source : http://www.hinduism-today.com/1997/3/