Once on a time, O king, there was a maiden of the name of Kesini, unrivalled for beauty; moved by the desire of obtaining a good husband, she resolved to choose her lord in Swayamvara. Then one of the sons of Diti, Virochana by name, went to that spot, desirous of obtaining the maiden. Beholding that chief of the Daityas, Kesini addressed him, saying, “Are Brahmanas superior, O Virochana, or are the sons of Diti superior? And why also should not Sudhanwan sit on the sofa?”

In plain words: A beautiful maiden named Kesini planned to choose her own husband at a Swayamvara, a ceremony where a bride picks from suitors. Virochana, a prince of the Daityas (demons), came to win her, and she asked him whether Brahmanas (priests) or Daityas were superior.