Rudraksha refers to the dried stones or seeds of the Elaeocarpus ganitrus tree. These stones serve as prayer beads for Hindus (especially Shaivas), Buddhists, and Sikhs. The term “Rudraksha” is a Sanskrit compound word consisting of “Rudra” referring to Shiva and “ak?a” meaning “eye”, hence it can be interpreted as the "eye of Rudra".