तस्मिन्कूटे ऽहिते नष्टे कृत्तमूले वनस्पतौ ।
विटपा इव शुष्यन्ति विष्णुप्राणा दिवौकसः ॥ ९ ॥
tasmin-when He; kute-the most deceitful; ahite-enemy; naste-is finished; krtta-mule-having its roots cut off; vanas-patau-a tree; vitapah-the branches and leaves; iva-like; susyanti-dry up; visnu-pranah-whose life is Lord Visnu; diva-okasah-the demigods.
When the root of a tree is cut and the tree falls down, its branches and twigs automatically dry up. Similarly, when I have killed this diplomatic Visnu, the demigods, for whom Lord Visnu is the life and soul, will lose the source of their life and wither away.
The difference between the demigods and the demons is here explained. The demigods always follow the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereas the demons simply plan to disturb or kill Him. Nevertheless, sometimes the demons very much appreciate the full dependence of the demigods upon the mercy of the Lord. This is indirect glorification of the demigods by the demons.