History of Origin

Source :-
Shiva Purana
Padma Purana
SrimadDeviBhagavata(Chapt.XII-VII)
RudrakshaJabaloUpnisad
Varieties of Myths from Great RishiMuni.
Introduction:
Rudraksha beads, the holy beads scientifically called as Elaeocarpus Ganitrus. Rudraksha comes from Sanskrit word and literally stands for the "eyes of Lord Shiva"( means rudra=Shiva, aksham=tear of an eye) .
Lord Shiva is an important deity of Vedic age (125000yrs B.P.) and is depicted wearing rosary of Rudraksha beads in the icon of different historical era. So it reveals that the merit of Rudraksha are first realized by Shiva himself and handed over to benefit of later generation. This holy Rudraksha beads have been worn by the people of Nepal and India for thousand of years to maintain physical and mental health and to gain fearless life on their spiritual path to enlighten and liberation.
According to Srimaddevibhagavatam (the oldest holy books), it describe the origin of Rudraksha on its eleven chapter -VII khanda as follows:-
The exact phrase expelled during discussion of Rudraksha between Vishnu and Naradmuni Rishi is as follows:-
  • Narad Muni: - Narayan (God Vishnu), I know the greatness of Rudraksha beads that you have said but may I know how Rudraksha came to this earth and honoured ?
  • Narayan said: - O Child! This is the very question that was asked once by Kartikeya, the six faced son of Rudra dwelling in Kailash. What Rudra replied, I say now listen:-
  • RudraDeva spoke: O child Kartikeya,I will dwell briefly on the secret cause of the greatness of Rudraksha beads. In days of the year there was a devil called Tripura who could not be conquered by anybody. Brahma, Vishnu and Other Devas request I contemplated the divine Great weapon named Aghora, beautiful, terrible and containing the strength of all the Devas to kill him. It was inconceivable and it was blazing with fire.
In the process, for full divine one thousand years I remained awake with eyelids wide open thinking of Aghora weapon, the destroyer of all obstacles whereby the killing of Tripura might effect and the troubles of the devas be removed. There by my eyes were affected and the drops of tear came out of eyes.
O Son Kartikeya from those drops of tear coming out of my eyes, the great tree of Rudraksha did spring for the welfare of all Devas and mankind. This Rudraksha beads are of Twenty-Eight varieties. From my Surya Netra (my right eye) symbolizing the sun twelve varieties have come and my left eye representing the moon (the soma netra) sixteen varieties.
O Intelligent One! Wherever, whoever holds with or without faith and devotion this great Rudraksha will attain Rudrahood and freed from all sins; his religious merit is inexhaustible.
From then Rudraksha tree grown in Gauda Land , the favorite place of Lord Shiva ranging from the great Himalayan belt to southeast Asia. Although grown in many country like Nepal, India, Barma, Bhutan, Indonesia, it localizes mainly in Nepal.
Since then to bless the Shiva devotees, these Rudraksha beads were given to four varnas into Brahmin, Ksatriya, Vaisya and Sudra representing by their color white , red, yellow, black respectively. All people of any Varnas, men, women ,child can wear any color of rudraksha who is freed from sins and suffering and get bless from all Gods.