One Hundred Refutations of Advaita
Śata-dūṣaṇī ('Hundred Faults/Refutations') is Vedānta Deśika's major work of philosophical controversy — conceived under the title of one hundred refutations of Advaita Vedānta (Māyāvāda). The extant text contains sixty-six vādas or refutations; it should therefore not be described as though one hundred complete arguments survive, nor as though only about fifty-six are extant.
Philosophical Scope
The Śata-dūṣaṇī addresses virtually every important claim of Advaita Vedānta: the concept of anirvacanīya māyā (illusion of indescribable nature), the doctrine of pure consciousness (cit) without attributes as Brahman, the illusory nature of the world (jagat mithyā), and the apparent identity of the individual soul with Brahman (tat tvam asi). Deśika demonstrates that each position leads to internal contradiction or contradicts śruti.
Style
The work is a model of the Indian pūrvapakṣa-uttarapakṣa method: first, the Advaita position is stated as faithfully and charitably as possible (pūrvapakṣa); then Deśika presents the devastating refutation (uttarapakṣa). This forensic thoroughness made the Śata-dūṣaṇī the definitive Vaḍakalai response to the Advaita challenge.
Historical Significance
Vedānta Deśika's Śata-dūṣaṇī is significant not only for its content but for its demonstration that Vishishtadvaita can more than hold its own against the most sophisticated Advaita arguments. It established the Vaḍakalai school's reputation for philosophical rigor.