Markandeyapurana 4.53

4.53

yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirbhavati jaimine /
abhyutthānamadharmasya tadātmānaṃ sṛjatyasau //

“The third form of Viṣṇu, which is assiduously intent on the preservation of creatures, always maintains righteousness on the earth. It destroys the haughty Asuras, the exterminators of righteousness; it protects the gods, and holy men, who are devoted to the preservation of righteousness. Whensoever, O Jaimini, the wane of righteousness occurs and the rise of iniquity, then it creates itself. Having formerly become existent, as a wild boar it repelled the water with its snout, and lifted out the earth like a lotus with one of its tushes. Having taken the form of the man-lion, it slew Hiraṇyakaśipu, and destroyed Vipracitti and other Dānavas. I cannot now enumerate its other incarnations, those of the dwarf, etc.: his recent incarnation here was this one in Mathurā. Thus that form, which is characterized by goodness, becomes incarnate; and it is designated Pradyumna; it is occupied in the work of preservation. And ever by Vāsudeva’s will, it exists in divine form, human form, and brute form, and partakes of their several natures.