godan verb (-ru)
prostrate oneself; bow deeply with hands and head touching the ground
Describes a very deep, formal bow where one flattens oneself on the ground, often in extreme apology or supplication. The kanji 平 suggests 'flat'. Rare and literary; in modern contexts, 土下座する is more common for a similar act.
彼は地面にへいつくばって謝罪した。
He prostrated himself on the ground and apologized.
昔の人は殿
In the old days, people would prostrate themselves before their lord.