What should the poet's countrymen do to be led into the “heaven of freedom?” Answer the question with reference to Rabindranath Tagore’s...

When this poem was composed originally in Bengali by the Indian Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, most probably in 1900, India was still a colony of the British Empire. The poem can be read as a prayer to God urging Him to lead his countrymen to the “heaven of freedom.” However, the freedom being referred to is much more ideological than physical.

Tagore was well aware of what weakened the Indian society the most. He was more concerned about the deep-rooted social ills that wrecked his nation.

Education was a privilege of the members of the upper castes only. Untouchability was one of the social evils that weakened the society by depriving thousands from equal opportunity and the basic human rights.

In this poem, Tagore laid down the ways that could possibly lead his people in achieving the bliss of actual freedom.

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free

First, he talks about relinquishing fear from the mind. Then, he urges his countrymen to make education achievable to everyone, irrespective of their birth, caste or creed.

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls

 "The domestic walls" refers to the divisive nature of the Indian society. A very rigid caste system that fragmented the Indian society had been the root cause of numerous evils crippling the poet's country. Until these unseeable walls were broken freedom would be a far-fetched dream. 

Tagore calls for a united and integrated society striving towards the common goal of the development of its people and its nation. 

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit

"Dreary desert sand of dead habit" refers to the narrow, divisive and irrational age-old conventions and beliefs. Empirical outlook and rational approach as implied in the expression “clear stream of reason” must replace such primitive practices and opinions.

Thus, the "heaven of freedom" that the poet wishes for his countrymen is more of an ideological state than physical. It could be achieved by freeing the mind of his people from the darkness of fear, ignorance and illiteracy.