In 1901 Srila Bhaktivinoda published Srimad-Bhagavatarka-marici-mala. In this important book, the Thakura presents a study of the Srimad-Bhagavatam in twenty chapters, arranging its principal verses so as to illustrate the divisions of sambandha (the soul's relationship with God), abhidheya (the means for reviving that relationship) and prayojana (the ultimate goal of life). The Sanskrit verses were accompanied by Bengali prose translations and explanations by the Thakura. The Bhagavatam is compared to the sun and each chapter is considered to be an individual ray of Bhagavata sunlight.

In his concluding remarks Srila Bhaktivinoda describes how he came to write the book as he did: "How I was inspired to compile this work is a mystery which I felt improper to disclose as it might constitute spiritual conceit. Subsequently, I realised that it would be a slight against my spiritual master which might stand as an obstacle on the path of my spiritual progress, and therefore, without any shame, I record the fact that, while under the benediction of my guru....I was meditating deeply upon the Srimad-Bhagavatam one day, when in a vision Sri Svarupa Damodara, the intimate adherent of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, instructed me to compile the verses of the Bhagavata in accordance with the principles of sambandha, abhidheya and prayojana as set forth by Sri Caitanya, so that the book could be read with an easy understanding and with happiness by the devotees of the Lord. Sri Svarupa Damodara further guided me by giving me a wonderful explanation of the first verse of the Bhagavata, and he also showed me how I was to explain the verses in the light of the Gaudiya Vaisnava philosophy."