What is the extent of the power of the Dragon Balls?


I have recently started watching _Dragon Ball Z_ (Remastered Edition)* after a
long break. There is this scene in S01E21 ( _Counting Down_ ) in which Master
Roshi and others summon the dragon to wish Goku back. Just before they can
wish him back, Oolong (the pig) says:

> Excuse me, Mr. Dragon could be possibly destroy the Saiyans that are on the
> way to Earth right about now.

to which the dragon replies:

> Your wish cannot be granted because the guardian of Earth created me. I
> cannot grant a wish which exceeds his power.

Now, this has put me into dilemma. If the dragons' power was only limited to
Earth, why was everyone around the universe after these Dragon Balls?

Here are few questions that bug me:

  * When the dragon says "wish which exceeds his power", does he mean that he can only use his powers on/for the Earthlings?
  * If yes, how could they wish Goku back, because technically, he is not born on Earth?
  * If not, why did destroying the Saiyans exceed the dragon's power?
  * Everyone around the universe was searching for Dragon Balls because they could fulfill anyone's wish. Does it mean that it is not mandatory to be an Earthling, but it's compulsory to be on Earth to have your wish granted by the dragons?
  * If yes, why didn't they ever wish to destroy the enemies after they had landed on Earth and within the effect of the dragons' power?




You misunderstood Shenlong's words. Shenlong was created by the guardian of
the Earth, [Kami](http://dragonball.wikia.com/wiki/Kami), in chapter 165.
Therefore, Shenlong could not have greater powers than his creator. Shenlong's
powers are not limited to the Earth nor are they limited to Earthlings. That's
not how it works and it is not what he meant by that. **They are disallowed
from killing others, creating love, or anything that Kami wouldn't have been
able to do with his own power.**

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/ujo6Qm.jpg)

Although the above statement is still rather vague. I mean, does this imply
that they could wish for weak Earthlings to die, because Kami has the powers
to do so? Or could Kami himself grant immortality, since his powers should be
greater than or equal to those of Shenlong's? Those _rules_ aren't ever
explained in detail in the manga as far as I know, and it is never explained
whether Shenlong can't kill anyone or only those stronger than Kami, but it is
clear that Shenlong couldn't kill Nappa, Vegeta or any other villain Earth has
encountered, because neither Kami nor Dende were that strong to begin with.

## [Dragon Ball wiki
page](http://dragonball.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon_Ball_%28object%29#History)

You can read more about the Dragon Balls' or Shenlong's powers on the wiki
page.

> The Earth Dragon Balls are about 7.5 cm (approximately 3 in) in diameter,
> and they summon a dragon named Shenron. They were created by **Kami** , and
> later re-created by **Dende**. Shenron can grant a wish within its powers as
> long as it **does not kill** , create love, repeat a wish he previously
> granted, **surpasses its creator's power** , and a few more restrictions.
> Legitimate wishes include eternal youth, immortality, bringing back a
> scorched forest or even an annihilated planet. Also, it is possible to
> return a person to life, although only if they meet certain criteria, like
> dying of unnatural causes or within the time-frame of a year (half a century
> according to the Ocean Dub), and each individual can only be brought back
> once. The Eternal Dragon will grant the first wish uttered after it was
> called, by whomever is present.




You misunderstood Shenlong's words. Shenlong was created by the guardian of
the Earth, [Kami](http://dragonball.wikia.com/wiki/Kami), in chapter 165.
Therefore, Shenlong could not have greater powers than his creator. Shenlong's
powers are not limited to the Earth nor are they limited to Earthlings. That's
not how it works and it is not what he meant by that. **They are disallowed
from killing others, creating love, or anything that Kami wouldn't have been
able to do with his own power.**

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/ujo6Qm.jpg)

Although the above statement is still rather vague. I mean, does this imply
that they could wish for weak Earthlings to die, because Kami has the powers
to do so? Or could Kami himself grant immortality, since his powers should be
greater than or equal to those of Shenlong's? Those _rules_ aren't ever
explained in detail in the manga as far as I know, and it is never explained
whether Shenlong can't kill anyone or only those stronger than Kami, but it is
clear that Shenlong couldn't kill Nappa, Vegeta or any other villain Earth has
encountered, because neither Kami nor Dende were that strong to begin with.

## [Dragon Ball wiki
page](http://dragonball.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon_Ball_%28object%29#History)

You can read more about the Dragon Balls' or Shenlong's powers on the wiki
page.

> The Earth Dragon Balls are about 7.5 cm (approximately 3 in) in diameter,
> and they summon a dragon named Shenron. They were created by **Kami** , and
> later re-created by **Dende**. Shenron can grant a wish within its powers as
> long as it **does not kill** , create love, repeat a wish he previously
> granted, **surpasses its creator's power** , and a few more restrictions.
> Legitimate wishes include eternal youth, immortality, bringing back a
> scorched forest or even an annihilated planet. Also, it is possible to
> return a person to life, although only if they meet certain criteria, like
> dying of unnatural causes or within the time-frame of a year (half a century
> according to the Ocean Dub), and each individual can only be brought back
> once. The Eternal Dragon will grant the first wish uttered after it was
> called, by whomever is present.

