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
かはんき
second half of the year
したしらべ
preliminary investigation
かだん
low position (of a sword in kendo, etc.)
かき
the following
したぐさ
undergrowth
げらく
depreciation