[dharma1]

yes, I think this is the likely explanation - your brain processes information when you are asleep and many times you may get insights from the unconscious this way in the morning.

In addition to hard work Ramanujan was exceptionally gifted, and likely stumbled on some mental processes at an early age that gave him an edge, and spent the rest of his life perfecting them.

Real shame that he passed so early, due to a disease that would have easily been avoidable or curable today. Imagine what else he would have been able to achieve if given another 10-30 years.