Robert Frost's Dharma and Ours: On Teaching 'Directive'.

This article examines Robert Frost's poem "Directive" as a pedagogical and philosophical exploration of dharma, a complex ethical concept rooted in Indian thought that encompasses duty, truth, and self-sustaining conduct. Using classroom experiences with Indian students, the article highlights how "Directive" serves as a metaphorical map guiding readers through a journey of self-discovery and ethical reflection, emphasizing the necessity of being "lost enough" to find oneself beyond conventional analytical frameworks. The poem's allusions to ritual, myth, and literary sources such as Thoreau's *Walden* invite readers to embrace uncertainty, relationality, and a dynamic, evolving consciousness—termed "de-worlding"—that resonates with diasporic and cross-cultural experiences. Ultimately, Frost's work is presented as a model for teaching literature and dharma as intertwined processes that foster ethical awareness and mutual healing rather than didactic instruction.