Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi : Samadhi is one's natural state

Question - But it is said in the Mandukyopanishad that samadhi must necessarily be experienced before attaining liberation.
Ramana Maharshi : And who says that it is not so? It is stated not only in the Mandukyopanishad but in all the ancient books. But it is true samadhi only if you know your Self. What is the use of sitting still for some time like a lifeless object. Suppose you get a boil on your hand and have it operated on under anaesthetic. You don't feel any pain at the time, but does that mean that you were in Samadhi ? It is the same with this too. One has to know what samadhi is.

And how can you know it without knowing your Self ? If the Self is known, samadhi will be known automatically. Samadhi is one's natural state. It is the undercurrent in all the three states of waking, dreaming and sleeping. The Self is not in these states, but these states are in the Self. If we get samadhi in our waking state, that will persist in deep sleep also. The distinction between consciousness and unconsciousness belongs to the realm of mind, which is transcended by the state of the real SeIf.