𑼦𑼵𑼭𑼯𑼴𑼱𑼥

The Protectorate (Protektorato; Sanskrit: 𑼦𑼵𑼭𑼯𑼴𑼱𑼥 or Pālaśāsana) is the central governing body of Siban and represents the office of the Protector of Navodra (Navodra Protektanto, lit. Navodra Protector; Sanskrit: 𑼥𑼮𑼾𑼴𑼣𑽂𑼬𑼦𑼵𑼭 or Navodrapāla). It exercises direct control over all dominions through the various governors and dominion councils, all represented in the Planetary Council. The Protectorate can be described as having absolute control over all matters concerning Navodra, but the religious hierarchy acts as a counterbalance to this by virtue of the influence of Sibanic Buddhism in society.

The current and 28th Protector of Navodra is Julio Vajroĉano, who hails from the Dominion of Kriŝnaŝilo (lit. Black Rock) and comes from one of the protectoral dynasties of Siban. His late father served as Governor of Kriŝnaŝilo while his eldest brother is currently a Mahācārya of Sibanic Buddhism. The Protector has absolute power but in most instances defers to the advise of different councils and bodies and religious and planetary customs and standards, though it is established and there is neither contention nor controversy surrounding the limitless characteristic of the authority held by the office. The Protector serves concurrently as the Lord of Darmapuro, the cosmopolitan capital of Siban.

A new Protector is elected upon the death or resignation of a sitting Protector. The Planetary Council is convened by the Chancellor of Darmapuro, the administrator of the capital, after 3 days of the passing of the Protector. The Planetary Council then has to have a decision on who shall be their prefero or the person they will submit to the Noble Order for confirmation within 7 days of when they were convened. Failure to come up with a name would transfer the authority to name a successor to the Legislature, specifically to the Council of Elders. Upon confirmation by the Noble Order, an investiture ceremony is held in the capital wherein the Protector receives different symbols of power from religious hierarchs and culminates with the initiation of the new Protector into the maṇḍala of a deity. The investiture concludes with the performance of a rite related to his deity led by the Protector. For the next 15 days, various sūtras are recited and different rituals are performed publicly dedicated to a long and stable reign by the Protector and for the benefit of the public.   

The Protectorate is structured similar to the retinue of Bhaiṣajyaguru or the Medicine Buddha, namely having two attendants or deputies flanking the Protector and 12 councilors. This is due to the association of the office with the said buddha. The two attendants, both having the title of Prabhānucara, serve as aides and personal secretaries to the Protector, but one of them manages the staff and everything related to personnel and the person of the Protector while the other serves as coordinator of government and state-related functions. The 12 councilors are minister-level officials. Each councilor handles a specific portfolio defined by the Protector when they were appointed, but one of the councilors is customarily the representative of the Planetary Council and serves as State Councilor in the 12-member grouping. Except for the State Councilor, all other councilors are not governors of dominions.

The 12 councilors are: Aŭgusto Vaĝraĝivo (State Councilor), Atanazio Oranĝaĉielo, Andreo Simplavorto, Dario Krakuĉando, Flavio Ĉandragupto, Henriko Surjaŝakjo, Aŭgusto Veraparolo, Justino Ruĝo, Eŭgeno Novastelo, Johano Verdo, Emilo Ŝantidarmo, and Dominiko Akŝobjo.