We remember during lifetime, but we forget also. Even if we forget, that does not mean I am dead. Forgetfulness is explained: māyā. We forget Kṛṣṇa. We forget that, "I am part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa" by forgetfulness. That is explained. What is that? Ātma-māyām ṛte rājan (SB 2.9.1). Ātma-māyā. It is a illusion. That forgetful . . .
Actually there is no forgetfulness. I should not forget, but because I am illusioned, therefore I forget. Because . . . "I forget" means I am illusioned. Ātma-māyā. Influenced by the modes of material . . . the one who is most influenced by the modes of material nature, they forget. Just like you are worshiping Kṛṣṇa, but others, they are not worshiping. They are to be awakened to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That means . . .
It does not mean they are actually separate from Kṛṣṇa. But they have to be awakened. Just like man is not dead; he is sleeping. But he has to be awakened. As soon as he is awakened, he remembers immediately. This is called svapna-citta-nyāya. I am sleeping, forgetting everything. I am in a different place. But as soon as I am awakened I remember, "Oh, I have to do this, I have to go there."
So this forgetfulness is a temporary illusion, that's all. Actually we don't forget. It is temporary. Ātma-māyām ṛte. It is . . . only it is action of God's external energy. Because I wanted to forget Kṛṣṇa, therefore Kṛṣṇa has helped me in forgetting Him by His own illusory energy.