What does the cryptic crossword clue "Pain initially going, massage heavenly figure (6)" mean?

The definition is "figure". The wordplay uses charade, deletion. ACHE (synonym of "Pain") + RUB (synonym of "massage") [beheading: "initially going,"]; definition: "heavenly figure" The answer is CHERUB.

Pain initially going, massage heavenly figure (6)

Guardian Cryptic #29639 | 1 Across | 2025-03-11 flower

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