Garudapurana 1.145.41

1.145.41

devādīnāṃ rakṣaṇāya hyadharmahāraṇāya ca /
duṣṭānāñca vadhārthāya hyavatāraṃ karoti ca //

For the protection of the gods and others, for the removal of unrighteousness, / and for the destruction of the wicked, he takes incarnation;