Acharya Mahaprajna
The first cause is the intake of harmful food, which includes all the items to be eaten and drunk. Frequent use of tobacco, alcohol, etc. also leads to the diseases. Consuming too many food items also becomes the cause of the diseases. Man knows it, but is unable to exercise control over eating. This happens because he has no control over his brain; if there is control over the brain it is possible to exercise immediate control over-eating. Physical labour is very important for health. Without labour there is no blood circulation and a man cannot be healthy. Mahavira has mentioned over-eating (atyashana) as one of the causes of the diseases. Sedentary way of life is also one cause of the diseases. Some people remain seated for seven or eight hours at a stretch. They deprive themselves of physical labour and also get affected by the diseases.
