Manu

I first came across this term in Lobsang Rampa’s books, where it is basically explained - in my words - as a hierarchical arrangement of entities who responsibility for overseeing the spiritual development of a particular group or place. Hence, each of the cities in Australia would have a Manu, and these all ‘report to’ (to use business vernacular - which basically means ‘answerable to’ and ‘take orders from’) a Manu in charge of Australia, who in turn reports to / is answerable to / takes order from a Manu for the entire planet.

Not the same as a deity, in my view, but could be seen to have some overlap ...