In Hinduism, Rudra ("howler") is a storm, the hunt, death, wild nature and a wind god. He has arrows which cause disease in whomever they hit, god, human or animal. With Diti, he is the father of the Maruts. Rudra is also another name of Lord Shiva, the lord of destruction, according to Hinduism. The famous hymn, Shri Rudram is a Vedic chant that is still chanted today.
According to Adi Sankara's commentary on the Vishnu sahasranama, Rudra means "One who makes all beings cry at the time of cosmic dissolution." Alternatively, Rudra means "One who gives speech." Finally, Rudra means "one who drives away sorrows."
Reference: Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, commentary by Sri Sankaracharya, translated by Swami Tapasyananda, available at Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. available at India web site: http://www.sriramakrishnamath.org and US site: http://www.vedanta.com.
The word Rudraksha also came into existence from the two words Rudra and aksha i.e. tears of Lord Rudra 'Shiva'. More information available on: http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com
