下等 is read as げら (gera) and means I.
げら
gera
かとうどうぶつ
lower animals
ほうのもとのびょうどう
equality before the law
かとうしょくぶつ
lower plants
かりゅう
lower classes
かこう
descent
げしゅく
boarding house
しもはんき
second half of the year
したしらべ
preliminary investigation
げだん
low position (of a sword in kendo, etc.)
かき
the following
したくさ
undergrowth
げらく
depreciation