The Early prose Upaniṣads are rich in brahmodyas, i.e. disputes on ritual and philosophical topics. In this paper I analyze the structure of Upaniṣadic brahmodyas and the means of argumentation applied, and reconstruct the pragmatic value of brahmodyas in the prevalent discourse. I compare Upaniṣadic brahmodyas with those represented in the Brāhmaṇas and consider them a literary genre that has been intentionally applied by anonymous authors.