Bridging the Worlds: Exploring Dialogues, Differences and Perceptions About ‘Others’ in the Upaniṣadic Tradition with a Spotlight on Brahman

India has a long-standing tradition of engaging with diversity through public discourse and intellectual debates. This openness has been upheld by strong arguments that celebrate variation and emphasise mutual respect through dialogue. This paper explores this dimension of early Indian literary tradition by analysing three significant dialogues, particularly with their pūrvapakṣa–uttarapakṣa dimension, from distinct Upaniṣadic texts: the dialogue between Gārgya Bālāki and King Ajātaśatru in the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad; the interaction between Indra, Virocana and Prajāpati in the Chāndogya Upaniṣad; and the discourse involving Prajāpati devas and a yakṣa in the Kena Upaniṣad. The first two dialogues highlight differences, particularly in terms of philosophical traditions and social identities, while illustrating how these encounters transcend rigid boundaries without reaching definitive conclusions. The third dialogue sheds light on the accommodative spirit underlying these discussions. This paper argues that debate, difference and the accommodation of diversity are enduring themes in early Indian literary traditions, reflecting a deeply rooted ethos of intellectual plurality.