Sri Ganesha sloka 1 - Shuklaambaradharam

Many of the scriptures and our elders have mentioned that offering prayers to Sri Ganesha (also known as Vinayaka or Vigneshwara) helps in removing all the obstacles. Probably this is the reason why while doing vrathas or starting a new project, we perform Sri Vinayaka Pooja first (for successful completion of the vratha or project). Following is the sloka or mantra in which we pray Lord Vighneshwara for removing our obstacles.

Shuklaambaradharam vishnum shashivarnam chathurbujam
Prasannavadhanam dhyaayaet, sarva vighnaupashaanthayae

or

శుక్లాంబరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్బుజమ్
ప్రసన్నవడనం ధ్యయేత్, సర్వ విఘ్నోపశాంతయే


Word to Word:
Shukla - Bright, White; Ambara - Cloth or Garment; Dgaram - Wear; Vishnum - All prevading; Shashi - Moon, Varnam - Color; Chathur - Four; Bhujam - Hands; Prasanna - Pleasant or Smiling; Vadhanam - Face; Dhyaayaet - Meditate upon; Sarva - All; Vighna - Obstacles; Upashaanthayae - Removal;

Meaning:
O Lord Ganesha, who wears a white garment, who is all pervading, who has a bright complexion like a moon, who is all powerful (has four hands) and has ever smiling face, I meditate upon you for the removal of all the obstacles.